The 4Rs

The New Zealand integrated approach to civil defence emergency management can be described by the four areas of activity, known as the ‘4 Rs’; Reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

 

Reduction

Identifying and analysing long-term risks to human life and property from hazards; taking steps to eliminate these risks if practicable, and, if not, reducing the magnitude of their impact and the likelihood of their occurring. 

During a disaster, buildings, ground and objects can move, fall, break, or burn, causing injury or property damage.

Aim to reduce the effects of a disaster on you and your property by:

• securing heavy items of furniture to the floor or wall
• having the structural soundness of your home checked by a builder when you move in or after making structural alterations
• having the structural soundness of grounds checked by a civil engineer if you see any signs of ground movement
• securely storing loose items within your home (dinnerware, crockery, and kitchenware)
• removing or securing any objects that could fall and do harm such as wardrobes, bookcases, ornaments or free-standing appliances

Store household and work place products safely so the risk of breakage and spillage is reduced.

Store all chemicals safely:

• Well above potential floodwater levels and secure from falling and spilling
• Agricultural and pool chemicals need special care

Readiness

Developing operational systems and capabilities before a civil defence emergency happens; including self-help and response programmes for the general public, and specific programmes for emergency services, lifeline utilities and other agencies.

Make sure you are ready by:

• developing emergency plans for your home, business and community
• preparing emergency supplies and get away bags
• knowing where to find information
• learning what to do during a disaster
• learning what to do after a disaster has occurred

Response

Actions taken immediately before, during or directly after a civil defence emergency to save lives and protect property, and to help communities recover.

Response activity is guided by these objectives:

1. the preservation of life; and
2. the prevention of escalation of the emergency; and
3. the maintenance of law and order; and
4. the provision of safety and security measures for people and property; and
5. the care of sick, injured, and dependent people; and
6. the provision of essential services; and
7. the preservation of governance; and
8. the protection of assets (including buildings and their contents and cultural and historic heritage assets); and
9. the protection of natural and physical resources and the provision of animal welfare (to the extent reasonably possible in the circumstances); and
10. the continuation or restoration of economic activity; and
11. the putting into place of effective arrangements for the transition to recovery.

Response activities are carried out alongside recovery activities.

Recovery

The coordinated efforts and processes to bring about the immediate, medium-term and long-term holistic regeneration of a community following a civil defence emergency.

Recovery should:

• Support cultural and physical well-being of individuals and communities
• Minimise the escalation of the consequences of the disaster
• Reduce future exposure to hazards and their associate risks – i.e. build resilience
• Take opportunities to regenerate and enhance communities in ways that will meet future needs (across the social, economic, natural and built environments).