Hobsonville community emergency hub training delivered with Connected Neighbourhoods Trust

FIRST72 was proud to deliver a tailored Community Emergency Hub Preparedness – Managing the First 72 Hours training programme in Hobsonville Point on Wednesday 14 May, bringing together around 70 community emergency hub leaders and volunteers from across the Auckland NorthWest region.

The programme was hosted by Connected Neighbourhoods Trust (CNT) and the Hobsonville Emergency Response Group, with attendees drawn from the wider network of community emergency hubs CNT supports across Auckland.

A course built for this community

Rather than running a generic preparedness session, FIRST72 worked with CNT to develop a customised programme focused on the realities of those first 72 hours of a major emergency – what actually happens, what it feels like on the ground and what decisions community hub leaders are likely to face under pressure.

The day covered:

• Where community groups fit alongside Civil Defence Emergency Management
• What the first 72 hours really looks like – disruption and decision-making with incomplete information
• A simple, scalable community hub structure that supports action rather than slowing it down
• A mobilisation decision framework: when to activate, how much to activate and what’s realistically sustainable
• Resource realities and the importance of local networks – marae, schools, hubs, and volunteers
• Real New Zealand emergency response stories and what worked in practice

What’s next

A follow-up programme is already locked in for Wednesday 16 September – a more focused session aimed at those already leading or coordinating hubs and response groups, with a deeper dive into leadership and management through the first 72 hours and the days that follow.

FIRST72 customises every community training programme to local hazards, local networks and the experience level of the people in the room.

If your community group, council, or hub network would like to talk about a tailored programme, get in touch on 0800 347 727 or team@first72.org.nz.