Our management structure

We are supported by and work alongside the Police, Fire Service, St John, Southern District Health Board , Lifelines Utilities organisations and a number of other key agencies.

Otago CDEM Group is administered by the Otago Regional Council. 

The CDEM Group works together before a Civil Defence event coordinating activities throughout Otago that reduces the potential impacts of hazards, promotes community resilience and readiness. During an emergency, the group ensures that emergency services and welfare resources respond to communities and helps with recovery.

At a local level, district and city councils and other agencies prepare for and co-ordinate the response to catastrophic events. 

In addition to being a part of the CDEM Group, each local authority must:

• Plan and provide for CDEM within its district
• Ensure that it is able to function to the fullest possible extent, even though this may be at a reduced level, during and after an emergency.

Each council has Emergency Management Advisors. Their work involves:

• Updating and maintaining action plans to cover any possible event,
• Advising the community, including business and industry, how to prepare,
• Recruiting and training volunteers who provide response and coordination at a community level,
• Assisting schools and pre-school groups with civil defence education.

Apart from this day to day role, local authorities maintain systems for managing emergencies in their area.

Council staff provide support at an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) where the emergency response is managed.  Civil Defence and emergency services gather information about the event and the damage involved so resources such as people or equipment can be allocated.