General Emergency Resources

The following free apps are designed around New Zealand conditions and are readily available, in Apple and Android formats, for cellphones and tablets.

 

  1. Getting thru Website

This website has been prepared by the national Civil Defence agency and has all of the information on provisions for survival and safe evacuation including preparation of:

  • Household emergency plans
  • Emergency Survival kits
  • Getaway kits
  1. Auckland Emergency Management Website

Auckland specific information on the AEM website can help you:

  • Know your hazards: type in your address on the hazard viewer to find out your risks
  • Subscribe for SMS and email alerts. You will only receive an SMS during an important event when action needs to be taken.
  1. EQC Website

This website has been prepared by the Earthquake Commission and has lots of practical information on preparing different parts of property for earthquakes and land movement including:

  • Roofs, walls and chimneys
  • Foundations
  • Retaining walls and banks
  • Water cylinders
  • Securing heavy furniture
  1. Red Cross Hazard App.

This  free app from the world’s largest emergency training provider, can be uploaded to your cellphone and provides

  • Hazard Identification which provides real time access to all information you will need on a range of fire, earthquake, tsunami, floods, weather and biosecurity risks. What more could a responsible citizen ask for?
  • Risk Mitigation which helps with step-by-step information on preparing for, responding to and recovering from various natural hazards. This information may be easier to digest now than in the middle of a storm!
  • Emergency Warning facility provides updated warnings and alerts for up to five locations around New Zealand, so you can keep an eye on mum and dad in Omarama, your kids at Otago University and your neighbours in Opahi Bay.
  1. Red Cross First Aid and Emergency App.

This free app, from both Google and Apple play stores, puts lifesaving skills at your fingertips. It includes

  • Emergency Guide which provides simple, step by step guides for most first aid emergencies in plain language.
  • Knowledge and Advice which provides first aid instruction using accessible visual animations and videos (for us visual learners).
  • M-Learning which can be used to work online toward the workplace first aid certificate, which we all told ourselves we ‘didn’t have time to do just now’.
  1. CPR for Adult Patients

This Red Cross video on CPR for adult patients will take 1 minute 36 seconds and will give you the confidence to perform this very valuable skill.

  1. CPR for Infant Patients

The Red Cross video on CPR for infant patients will take 1 minute 35 seconds and will give you the confidence to perform this essential skill safely.

  1. Caring for Stock and Animals

The MPI has a comprehensive website covering provision for stock and domestic animals in emergencies for lifestyle block owners.  It also has some very practical advice on ‘testing’ your systems which may prove valuable before you are faced with stressed animals in darkness on your own.

  1. Fire

The normal 30 minute delay in getting assistance for rural fires will be extended when roads are damaged and access is difficult.  While calling 111 should always be the first step, the availability of working fire extinguishers and hoses may provide some temporary protection. The FMG web site provides valuable information on identifying and mitigating fire risks on rural properties.