Preparation

By arming ourselves with the correct tools and knowledge we can as individuals, families, businesses, organisations and communities, reduce the impact that natural disasters like volcanic eruptions have upon us.

If an eruption were to happen tomorrow, what would you do? Maybe you would like to know how dangerous the volcanic eruption is, how far will its effects spread? Do you know how to get information on the volcanic eruption?

Maybe you would like to make sure close family and friends were OK. How would you do this if the phones were down? Where will you go if you're asked to evacuate?

Do you know what basic equipment you'll need to survive, and where you can get it? - Remembering in the event of an eruption that everyone else will need the same equipment and supplies.

Do you know what to do? | What can you do? | When a volcano erupts | After a volcano erupts

Do you know what to do?

As a business, do you know what equipment or machinery needs to be shut down to reduce damage from corrosive volcanic ash? How will you ensure your business will survive an eruption? Do you have a business continuity plan? How will you help keep your staff and their families safe?

As a community group, how will you support each other, where will you meet? Will your neighbours be OK?

As a school, how would you ensure the safety of the pupils? How will you keep track of who has left to go home?

Preparing and planning for what we're going to do in the event of a major disaster such as a volcanic eruption is fundamental for lessening the impacts of such events. The Auckland Regional Council is working together with other key agencies e.g. Territorial Local Authorities, (i.e. your local district or city council), the fire, ambulance, police and health agencies to identify ways that we can become more prepared. The Auckland Regional Council is also working closely with Auckland's key Lifelines, namely:

• communications (land and cellular)
• transport (road, rail, air and sea)
• energy (electricity, petroleum fuels and gas)
• water networks (water supply, wastewater, and stormwater).

to ensure that the vulnerable components of each of these networks and utilities are identified and reduced BEFORE a disaster, so that they can continue to provide (as much as possible) the services and products we have come to rely upon.

There are a number of quick and simple measures which you can take now to reduce your vulnerability to the impacts of a volcanic eruption (e.g. volcanic ash inundation).

What can you do?

How do you prepare for a volcanic eruption?

Your home

1. Keep enough non-perishable food for at least 3 days e.g. canned food (& can opener), dried fruit, long life milk or condensed milk, canned or foil sealed fruit juice.
2. Keep enough water for at least 3 days (3 litres/day, per person).
3. Have a battery- powered radio - and spare batteries (a car radio is fine).
4. Have a torch or lantern with extra batteries.
5. BBQ or sometime to cook on (& matches to light BBQ) are a good resource.
6. Keep important documents together - you will need them. e.g. insurance policy, birth certificate
7. Have extra dry blankets and warm clothing.
8. Have a first aid kit and regular medications and try to keep them together.
9. Try and keep a small amount of extra cash on hand (ATM machines may not be working).
10. Hygiene: toilet paper, plastic bags, bucket, disinfectant.

After a volcanic eruption, intermittent ash-fall and re-suspension of ash on the ground may continue for years. Below are a list of things that will help you to deal with volcanic ash that you need to have prepared BEFORE an eruption:

• Extra dust masks, in case you need to go outside.
• Gladwrap (to keep ash out of electronics).
• Cleaning supplies to help remove ash (broom, vacuum, shovels, etc).

  

Your children

• Explain what a volcano is and what they should expect and do if ash falls.
• Know your school's emergency plan.
• Have quiet games and activities available.

Your pets

• Store extra food and drinking water.
• Keep extra medicine on hand.
• Keep your animals inside if possible.

Your neighbourhood

• Get to know your neighbours. During a disaster we need to develop support within our local area. Some people (e.g. the elderly) can be more vulnerable and may need your help.
• People with disabilities may need some additional assistance - ask your normal special-needs agency for extra advice on what to do in an emergency.

When a volcano threatens

• Listen to your radio for advice and information.
• Check and complete your preparations.
• Plan where you will go if you have to evacuate and how your family will meet.

When a volcano erupts

Dial 111 if you need urgent help from Police, Fire or Ambulance.

• Listen to your radio or TV for advice and information.
• Stay in doors as much as possible, keep pets inside, and close windows and doors.
• If you think one of your neighbours may be vulnerable advise Civil Defence, or if it is safe to, check on them.
• Conserve water and keep an extra supply in containers.
• Only use the phone if you really have to.
• Evacuate if necessary or if you are advised to by Civil Defence.

If you have to go outside

• Wear substantial clothing and cover your head.
• Carry a torch.
• Breath through a cloth.

After an eruption

• Return home only if you have been advised by Civil Defence that it is safe.
• Seek medical help or counselling if needed.
• Write a list of all damage as soon as possible.

What to do during the clean-up period?

• Remove as much as you can from frequently used areas. Clean from the top down. Wear a dust mask. If you don't have a dust mask, use a wet handkerchief. Prior to sweeping, dampen ash to ease removal. Be careful to not wash ash into drainpipes, sewers, storm drains, etc.
• Use water sparingly. Widespread use of water for clean-up may deplete public water supply.
• Maintain protection for dust-sensitive items (eg computers, machinery) until the environment is really ash-free.
• Seek advice from public officials regarding disposal of volcanic ash in your community.
• Wet ash can be slippery. Use caution when climbing on ladders and roofs.

More information about volcanic hazard preparation is contained in the Hazard Fact Sheets available from the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline - ph 09 366 2000.

It takes a long time to recover from a volcanic eruption - so tell Civil Defence of your on-going needs.

For more information see the back page of your yellow pages, or contact your local council's Emergency Management or Civil Defence office or phone 0800 22 22 00 (in the Auckland Region).

Source: This advice was sourced from New Zealand Civil Defence and the US Geological Survey.