Emergency Preparedness
What happens when you make a 111 call?
When you call 111, a Spark operator will answer your call and ask which emergency service you want - Fire, Ambulance or Police. If it's Police, you'll be transferred to a Communications Centre in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. Your call might be answered in another centre if the one closest to you is busy. No matter where the call is answered, your local police will be on their way.
What you'll be asked when you call 111
The police communicator will ask you three questions to start with:
- where are you (where are police needed)?
- how long ago did it happen?
- what's happening now?
They'll also confirm your name, address and contact details.
Then you may be asked more questions, such as:
- where is the person causing concern now?
- do they have weapons?
- if that person has left, which way did they go and how did they leave?
- who are they? What do they look like and how are they dressed?
- what's the number plate or description of their vehicle?
- what else is happening?
At the same time as we're asking you for this information, if an emergency response is needed we're getting police on the way.
Children and 111
Make sure that your children know about the proper use of 111 emergency calls. This array of resources allow children to learn about dialling 111 in emergencies in a fun and active way. Activity worksheets take children through the process with Buster, the Police dog, as well as Fire and Ambulance messages
111 Emergency - Activity sheet one
111 Emergency - Activity sheet two
Buster worksheets - All activities
NOTE: 111 calls are free!
You can call this number on a mobile phone even if the phone is out of credit.
Civil Defence and Emergency Management
If a disaster happened now, would you be ready?
Due to its location and environment, New Zealand faces many potential disasters. In some cases, such as a weather related or volcanic disaster, there may be time for a warning.
But an earthquake or a tsunami close to land could strike without warning.
All disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and take lives. So it's vital that you prepare now.
Make a plan with your family/flatmates/friends/neighbours to get through an emergency. Think about the things you need every day and work out what you would do if you didn’t have them.
A household emergency plan will help you work out:
- What you will each do in the event of disasters such as an earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, flood or storm.
- How and where you will meet up during and after a disaster
- Where to store emergency survival items and who will be responsible for maintaining supplies.
- What you will each need to have in your getaway kits and where to keep them.
- What you need to do for members of the household, family or community with a disability or special requirement.
- What you will need to do for your pets, domestic animals or livestock.
- How and when to turn off the water, electricity and gas at the main switches in your home or business.
- Turn off gas only if you suspect a leak, or if you are instructed to do so by authorities. If you turn the gas off you will need a professional to turn it back on and it may take them weeks to respond after an event.
- What local radio stations to tune in to for civil defence information during an event.
- How to contact your local council’s civil defence emergency management office for assistance during an emergency.
- If life or property is threatened, always dial 111.
Being part of a Neighbourhood Support
Group can help you to prepare yourself for a Civil Defence Emergency. The information gathered from completing a Supporters Residential Form for the household are placed on a database and held by the Kawerau Neighbourhood Support Office.
It’s also good to remember that your
neighbours will be the first on hand to help you
To ensure the Office holds the correct
information on your household ensure your details are up to date by completing
a Supporter Residential Form and returning it to the office.
Call the office for a
copy of the form
Phone: 021 20 21 303
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Each person in the house should have a small bag for their Getaway Kit, ready for evacuation. Most of the items that you will need for a Getaway Kit are already part of your Emergency Survival Kit. Other things you will require are:
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Put all items, especially blankets and clothing, into leakproof plastic bags.
Make sure everyone in the house can find the Kit in the dark.
Check and renew the food and water every 12 months.
Check the batteries in torches and radio every three months.
For further information check the back of the Yellow Pages
