Emergency Management

Whakahaeretaka Mōrearea

Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time so it's best to plan ahead and be prepared - which means thinking about yourself, your whānau, your neighbours and even your pets.

Make your first stop for what to do in a disaster the Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management website, but you'll find other helpful hints and info in this section.

Be Prepared

Hints and tips to "Get Thru" safely

Helpful Resources

Links to useful documents and websites about emergency management

Community Response Groups

How you can support your community during an emergency response

Cryptosporidium outbreak - advice and information

Weather Event - September 2023

About Emergency Management

Civil defence emergency management is an all of Council effort. We have local Emergency Management Officers who work closely with the Otago Regional Civil Defence and Emergency Management team. We also work closely with other agencies and local community groups to ensure we can all respond effectively and efficiently together in an emergency.

In the event of an actual or potential emergency, whether it's a declared emergency or not, an incident management team is formed to set priorities and coordinate a response. Emergency, medical and health services, utilities operators and welfare agencies will continue to manage their organisations and individual responses, but in an emergency they are required to do so under the coordination of the Local Controller.

Community Response Plans

Arrowtown Community Response Plan (PDF, 2.95MB)

Gibbston Valley / Victoria Flats / Kawarau Gorge Response Plan (PDF, 2.21MB)

Jacks Point / Kelvin Peninsula Community Response Plan (PDF, 2.07MB)

Kingston Community Response Plan (PDF, 2.52MB)

Lake Hāwea / Hāwea Flat Community Response Plan (PDF, 4.9MB)

Makarora Community Response Plan (PDF, 2.02MB)

Shotover Country / Lake Hayes / Lake Hayes Estate Community Response Plan (PDF, 2.06MB)

Wānaka Community Response Plan (PDF, 5.47MB)