Emergency Management
Diseases outbreaks, floods, earthquakes and other man-made or natural disasters can happen without warning and when we least expect.
Toi Te Ora Public Health provides advice and information across the four R’s of emergency management; reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
In an emergency Toi Te Ora may be called upon to provide advice on:
- Air quality
- Burials
- Disease prevention and control measures
- Drinking water
- Hazardous substances, such as chemical spills
- Pests
- Psychosocial welfare
- Radioactive substances
- Refuse disposal
- Sewage disposal
- Spills
- Water quality (includes water for sanitation and drinking, fresh and marine recreational water)
Toi Te Ora has identified possible emergency scenarios and has prepared contingency plans. Staff at Toi Te Ora are trained in emergency response systems to work as a team and manage emergencies in a co-ordinated and effective way.
The overall health goal of Toi Te Ora is to minimize the health risks to communities and individuals in an emergency. An emergency may or may not be a declared civil defence emergency. This is what transpired in 2009 for the H1N1 Pandemic that involved a whole of ‘Health’ lead response which public health services played a key role.
Self Care and Wellness
It’s normal to feel upset after extreme events. If you need support or advice, or have feelings of anxiety, stress, prolonged fear, hopelessness or anger and need to talk with someone, you can phone Healthline on 0800 611 116.
The below resources may also be helpful:
- Self care and wellness – Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Lakes
- Common reactions to disasters leaflet – Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
- Common reactions to disasters flyer – Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
- Helping children leaflet – Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
- Helping children flyer – Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
- Helping adolescents leaflet – Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
- Need to talk - Ministry of Health
- Coping after a traumatic event - Ministry of Health
- Helping children cope - Mental Health Education and Resource Centre
For more information
Preparing for and during an emergency:
- Get Ready, Get Thru - this website will show you how to get ready for an emergency, so you'll get through. The site is translated into nine languages including English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan and Arabic. Simply click on the language required and it translates the website.
- Download the Hazard App to help you and your family prepare for and respond to hazards in New Zealand. The app is a vital tool to help you get through emergencies and get disaster alerts.
- Preparing you and your family for a disaster and protecting your health in an emergency
- Saving water during water shortage
- Feeding your baby in an emergency
- Food safety in natural disasters and emergencies
- Food safety in an emergency
Specific Hazard Information and Advice:
General:
- Bay of Plenty District Health Board Emergency Management Planning
- Lakes District Health Board Emergency Management Planning
- National Emergency Management Agency
- Ministry of Health
- Public Education Toolbox - This toolbox is aimed at supporting those tasked with developing public education programmes for their communities.
Contact us for more information.