Members of the PNCC Civil Defence team

Overview of Emergency Management

There is no civil defence army in New Zealand but Palmerston North City Council has planned for disasters and is prepared to manage any emergency.

This page tells you about our Civil Defence team, and how we can help you prepare for emergencies.

Who does what on the Palmerston North Civil Defence team?

The Palmerston North City Council must:

ensure it can function to the fullest possible extentduring and after an emergency.
plan and provide for Civil Defence Emergency Management within its own district.

The Palmerston North Civil Defence team:

applies the four R’s of Emergency Management (Reduction, Readiness, Response, Recovery) in order to achieve a safer Palmerston North.
co-ordinates the emergency services, life-line utilities, volunteers, community groups and others.
links both local and national government agencies.
provides education and training for community groups, schools and workplaces.

About national Civil Defence and Emergency Management: legislation, publications and tools (external website)

Local Civil Defence arrangements in brief

The mayor or deputy may declare a state of local emergency.
A Civil Defence Controller can make decisions for the duration of the state of local emergency.
A Controller and Police may use emergency powers depending on the situation.
Palmerston North Rescue Emergency Support Team (REST) assists, and can provide leaders to take command of spontaneous and trained volunteers.

Junior Neighbourhood Support

We are working with Palmerston North Neighbourhood Support, Police and NZ Fire Service on the Junior Neighbourhood Support Programme. This programme rewards kids for positive action, for example knowing school fire drills, having a home emergency plan and helping others in the community.

Contact Neighbourhood Support about the programme