The Otago CDEM (Civil Defence Emergency Management) Group region extends from the Waitaki River in the north to Teahimate Bay in the South, west to the summit of the Haast Pass and east to 20km offshore into the Pacific Ocean. Otago borders the Canterbury, Southland and West Coast regions.
There are six partner councils who make up the CDEM Group:
The Group has Emergency Management Advisors in each of the districts who are responsible for development and delivery of emergency management activities to their communities. These advisors are led by the Group Manager and supported by a Group Team Leader, Stakeholder Engagement Advisor, Resilience Advisor, Readiness & Response Advisor and Administration Systems Support based in Dunedin.
The Otago Group’s Guiding Principles, under which all the Emergency Management Team work are:
Collaboration
A broad and sincere relationship is created and sustained between organisations and individuals to ensure trust, good communication, consensus building and team atmosphere.
Coordination
CDEM activities of all relevant organisations and individuals will be to an agreed level of service and synchronised within the framework of a common goal.
Integration
Unity of effort among all levels of Otago CDEM and all parts of our communities.
Professionalism
Knowledge-based approach based on science and knowledge, education, training, experience, best practice and continuous improvement.
Risk driven
Sound risk management principles (hazard identification, risk and impact analysis) are used in assigning priorities and tasks.
Accountability
Collective and individual responsibility for the delivery of CDEM measured through regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting against targets and project based outcomes.