Emergency management is a vast and complex responsibility, and CDEM groups and councils are at the heart of this effort, tasked with preparing and protecting their communities from a wide range of natural hazards. From floods and earthquakes to severe storms and tsunamis, the scale of risks across New Zealand requires significant coordination, resources, and planning.
Councils and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) groups play a vital role in fostering community preparedness and resilience. However, the sheer scope of their responsibilities often means resources are stretched thin, especially in the face of large-scale emergencies. Events like Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted the challenges, with 54 communities in Hawke’s Bay isolated for weeks due to destroyed infrastructure. Councils were not only managing emergency responses but also supporting recovery efforts and rebuilding resilience in their regions.
Building community preparedness and resilience is a shared responsibility, and councils and CDEM groups need trusted partners to enhance their capacity. From equipping community emergency hubs to providing Emergency Preparedness Pods (EPODs), bulk supplies, and training programs, FIRST72 supports CDEM groups and councils in all ways to help empower their communities to be self-reliant and resilient for the critical first days and weeks following a disaster. By strengthening preparedness at the grassroots level, councils can focus on strategic leadership, ensuring communities are ready to face emergencies with confidence and resilience.
Here are some of the ways that we’ve supported councils and CDEM groups across NZ:
