Drop, cover, hold this NZ ShakeOut Day

Today is New Zealand ShakeOut Day,(external link) our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi when New Zealanders are reminded to practice how to keep safe during an earthquake, or tsunami if you’re in a coastal area.

At Fire and Emergency, we play a significant role in responding to major incidents like earthquakes and tsunamis.

A big part of what we do starts well before we respond to a significant earthquake. We are also focused on working with our communities to help them to prepare for, survive and recover when a major event or disaster happens.

This NZ ShakeOut Day, we’re reminding our people that it’s hugely important that we are well prepared ourselves, as individuals, business areas and teams of Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Being prepared will mean we can best help our communities when a disaster strikes.

As individuals, we need to make sure we’re well set up to keep ourselves and our families safe and sustained during and after an event. It’s an opportune time to stock up or replenish your personal emergency supplies at work, and to put together an emergency take-home pack if you’ll have to walk home. Information on what supplies you may need can be found here(external link). Now’s also a good time to review and update your family emergency plans.

As business areas and teams, we also need to be prepared to support our organisation to do the vital work it would undertake in a disaster. It’s important you know where your business continuity or station emergency plan lives and check your contact details are up to date on the phone tree for your team.

Join the rest of New Zealand and get prepared this ShakeOut Day, so when a disaster hits, you’re ready.