Otago Gets Ready
Emergency Management Otago is encouraging residents across the Clutha District to sign up to Otago Gets Ready, a two-way communication tool which helps people better prepare for emergencies and be more informed, co-ordinated and resilient when they occur.
Given the sheer size of the Clutha District it was not always possible for Civil Defence to be everywhere and anywhere during an emergency, particularly in some of the more remote areas throughout Clutha.
Otago Gets Ready will help connect people in the Clutha townships and assist people to look after each other by sharing resources and supporting those who are more vulnerable during emergencies.
Gets Ready provides a channel for residents to pass on-the-ground intelligence back to the Emergency Operations Centre via their Community Response Groups. This helps Civil Defence co-ordinate a targeted response and get information and help to where it’s most needed, quickly and effectively.
The Gets Ready email and text alert system allows Civil Defence to target and send localised information to residents about situations that directly affect them, from small-scale events (heavy snow and boil water notices) to major emergencies like floods, severe weather events, earthquakes and tsunamis warnings.
Clutha people liked to help out during an emergency and this tool allowed Civil Defence staff to tap into their valuable skills and resources if they choose to register them in Gets Ready. They can also register any needs and vulnerabilities they have.
- Do you have skills, resources or aid you can offer others in an emergency like first aid training, a 4WD, generator or language skills?
- Do you have whānau who may need extra assistance in an emergency?
All of this valuable intelligence is vital for effective response planning. For example, we will be able to identify first aid-trained people in an area and ask them to check on an elderly neighbour with mobility or health issues and let us know what help is needed. Or link someone up to another community member who speaks their language and can help translate instructions. Or we may call people listed as having 4WD vehicles to help transport people or resources.
The information collected was private and would only ever be used in and Emergency situation.
The Gets Ready system does not supersede the National Emergency Alerts which are pushed through cell towers, or individual Council alerts, rather it supplements them by providing more detailed, localised information through additional channels.
To register for Gets Ready, follow the quick and easy three step process:
- Either scan the Otago Gets Ready QR code or go to www.getsready.net to log your contact details.
- Fill out the Resources, Skills and Needs section with any relevant details – you can choose to share as much or as little information as you wish.
- Once you receive the activation email (check your Junk Mail if it doesn’t come through within a few minutes) and click on the link to activate your profile. All information is held privately and securely and is only accessible to authorised Civil Defence staff.
