Families and Children Archives - Emergency Management Training

Pets in an emergency

When making your plans of what to do in an emergency, don’t forget your pets. Check out the Ministry of Primary Industries website for more info: ...

Power cuts – vulnerable customers.

What your emergency kit should contain

Are you prepared? Do you have a fully stocked emergency or disaster kit you can rely on to keep you going when the unexpected happens? Together with a well stocked first aid kit (masks, gloves, disinfectant and torch) being prepared with food and water are the best things you can do to stay well during a natural disaster. Recommendations are enough food and water on hand to last for two weeks. This means having a good store of food and water on hand at all times.

The Healthy Food Guide have put out a guide on: How to plan and shop for an emergency kit. This includes:

Tips for planning and shopping
Food checklist
How to use your emergency stores
Water stocks

Will your home phone work in an emergency?

If an emergency causes a power outage, will you and your loved ones be able to use your phone to call 111?

If you have a home phone on new technology, you might qualify for extra support under the 111 Contact Code from your telecommunications provider.

View this tip sheet on using your home phone during an emergency: https://bit.ly/3wQRNBX

School Lockdowns

A lock down occurs where there is an identified risk and a need to contain and protect people. They are an important part of school ...

When you’ve got one minute

Place your hand just beneath your navel so you can feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. Breathe in. Pause for a count of three. Breathe out. Pause for a count of three. Continue to breathe deeply for one minute, pausing for a count of three after each inhalation and exhalation.

Or alternatively, while sitting comfortably, take a few slow deep breaths and quietly repeat to yourself “I am” as you breathe in and “at peace” as you breathe out. Repeat slowly two or three times. Then feel your entire body relax into the support of your chair.

When you’ve got two minutes

Count down slowly from 10 to 0. With each number, take one complete breath, inhaling and exhaling. For example, breathe in deeply, saying “10” to yourself. Breathe out slowly. On your next breath, say “nine”, and so on. If you feel lightheaded, count down more slowly to space your breaths further apart. When you reach zero, you should feel more relaxed. If not, go through the exercise again.

When you’ve got three minutes

While sitting, take a break from whatever you’re doing and check your body for tension. Relax your facial muscles and allow your jaw to open slightly. Let your shoulders drop. Let your arms fall to your sides. Allow your hands to loosen so there are spaces between your fingers. Uncross your legs or ankles. Feel your thighs sink into your chair, letting your legs fall comfortably apart. Feel your shins and calves become heavier and your feet grow roots into the floor. Now breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly.

Source: Harvard Health Publications Read more

Rural alliance fronting suicide prevention training

Source: Safety News

Some 185 farmers took their lives between 2007-15, compared with 8 per cent in the general population.

Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ) chair Dr Martin London says RHAANZ and Pasifika community support Le Va are two organisations that have been specifically funded by the Ministry of Health to upskill community groups and health professionals in suicide prevention strategies.

“Our focus is to upskill our rural health professionals and social service workers.

“We would also like to pay a little kudos to the Ministry of Health.

“In the last year, RHAANZ provided 50 workshops across regional communities upskilling them in how to talk directly about suicide with people they love and care for.”

The workshops were a resounding success, London claims. Read more here. Read more

Care box for people contemplating suicide

Source: Nicholas McBride at Stuff

A care box is being developed to help people in times of high stress.

A young woman who has struggled with her own mental health is hoping to develop a care box to help others when they are contemplating suicide.

Massey University student Shailah Anderson hopes a self-help care package will get people through crucial hours or days.

Anderson, 22, said in a mental health crisis, time could be crucial.

Massey University student Shailah Anderson hopes a self-help care package will help people through tough times.

“It’s designed to buy time when someone is alone at night or waiting for an appointment in case they don’t think they can make it through the next hour or day.”

The packages will contain an array of sensory items such as perfume and stress balls, to distract the hands and mind.

Anderson said she had experienced both good and bad mental healthcare and was concerned by delays.

“I’ve found that mental health services often require people to be at a certain level of distress before they step in and that can be dangerous.”

The care package is part of a practical help project through the national Tuia Tangatahi leadership programme run by the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs.

The project aligned with her studies and her own experiences with mental health issues and gaps in mental health care.

Anderson also wanted to make it easier for people to connect with the right help.

The Manawatu/Horowhenua Mental Health Directory could be overwhelming at 100 pages, so she hoped to develop an app to match people to the most suitable services to them.

Mental Health Foundation spokeswoman Sophia Graham said while it was not a replacement for talking with professionals, boxes could still help. “Anything that gives people the tools they need to cope in a heightened state of crisis is going to be a good thing.”

People did not stay in high states of distress for long periods and could use things as a distraction to get through. “We know they provide a bit of a distraction, something for the brain to do.”

Even simple things could help people hold on. “You get a care box from someone who cares for you. Knowing someone cares about you is a real boon to your mental health.”

Being based on Anderson’s own experiences gave the idea more credence, Graham said.

WHERE TO GET HELP

Lifeline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 354

Depression Helpline (open 24/7) – 0800 111 757

Healthline (open 24/7) – 0800 611 116

Samaritans (open 24/7) – 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Youthline (open 24/7) – 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz

0800 WHATSUP children’s helpline – phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day.

Kidsline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.

Your local Rural Support Trust – 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)

Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) – 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.

For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation’s free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).

– Stuff

Source: The New Zealand Herald.

An Upper Hutt child escaped a possible abduction attempt because a stranger did not know the password his mother used when sending people to pick him up from school.

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Helpful tips and advice for New Zealanders affected by earthquakes

After the November 2016 Kaikoura earthquakes, Mental Health NZ compiled a useful list of resources to help guide people through earthquakes and aftershocks.

Tips for coping after an earthquake
Mental Health Foundation (2016)
A short list of things to do that can make you and others feel better under exceptional circumstances.

Take care of your children but don’t forget yourself
Mental Health Foundation (2016)
It’s not always possible to judge if or when children are scared or worried about things happening in their life They may be reluctant to talk about their fears or may not be aware of how they are being affected by the things happening to them and around them. Parents can look for clues as to how their child is reacting.

Earthquake stress information in different languages
Canterbury DHB (2011)
Following such immensely upsetting events, people understandably feel distressed. Read about common responses to an earthquake, coping mechanisms and reactions from children.

When the quakes go on and on
Skylight (2012)
Strategies for self-care when the after-shocks keep coming and nothing is certain.

Wellbeing
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Prepared Kids & Cyber bullying

Devereux-Blum Training Director Sharyn thinks learning cyber safety is an important part of being a Prepared Kid. Children today are referred to as ‘digital natives’ as they can access many forms of technology. They adapt quickly to new ways of communicating like Instagram and Snapchat (forget Facebook, that’s old school according to teens). Take the example of one of our office administrator’s children who recently broke her arm in the playground. When the nurse applying the cast asked: “any questions?”, the child asked: “can I still use technology?” How can we ensure our children are safe on the internet?

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Research done reported that 1 in 5 New Zealand high school students are being cyber-bullied. Targets of cyber bullying often say that it makes them feel scared, depressed, angry or ashamed. The impact of cyber bullying often has more of an impact than physical bullying due to its relentlessness.

Susan McLean, an expert in cyber safety, recently gave 2 talks to Scots College children. (Kapi-Mana News 12/7/16). Her top tips were:

Be aware, be educated and be involved. Knowledge is power

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Dealing with Stress from Disasters

Information from Massey University’s School of Psychology on Dealing with Stress arising from Disasters is available, including Factsheets.

Factsheets cover information on the following topics. View these here.

The Stress of Being Under Threat

Common Reactions to Disasters

Stress after emergencies

Helping Children

Helping Adolescents

Families and disasters

Coping Personally – Information
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Dogs – Water Requirements

We all know we have to drink fluids to stay hydrated, and perform well. That’s common sense.

But what about the dogs? What do they need to drink, and how do we give it to them?

Water is a vital component of cells and body tissue, to the point that mammals are considered at least 70% water. And in fact, when considering fluid requirements, an equivalent of one kilo of body weight to one litre of water is used.

So …. I weigh 20 kg. My body contains around 20 litres of water. Every day, I lose some, I gain some. I get quite a lot from my food, but on average I need to drink about 50ml for each kilogram I weigh. This means 20 (kg) x 50 (ml) = 1000ml = 1 litre.

I need to drink one litre a day to maintain my hydration – on a quiet day. When I’m busy (training, searching, working out) I’ll need more. I’ll also need more if I have a fever, if the ambient temperature is high, and if my diet is mainly dry food.

So how do you know if I’m dehydrated?
Firstly, in an active situation in warm temperatures, assume I probably am. I’ve got better and more interesting things to do than drink! Check my gums. Lift my upper lip and touch your fingertip to the gum over my teeth. Is it moist or tacky (sticky?) Tacky gums are one of the first signs of dehydration. (Take no notice of my nose – a wet/dry nose means very little!). If I look a bit sad and flat, or things have been full-on, grab a pinch of skin over my shoulders. Lift it up and then let go. It should drop back down in 1-3 seconds. If it takes longer, I’m getting seriously dehydrated and drinking a bit more isn’t enough. I need someone to give me fluids.

How?
By mouth – offer me water. I may not drink enough to rehydrate, but hey – my mouth will taste better.
Under the skin. Subcutaneous fluids (sub-cut, S/Q) get a lot of fluid into me, but it may take me some time to absorb them to where they’re needed. Be very careful about hygiene, and only use isotonic (same concentration as body fluid) solutions to avoid
serious damage. In the vein. IV fluids are rapidly assimilated and redistributed. They need to be given under supervision – too fast and they can kill.

Best advice
Know your dog, know its fluid requirements, and know some tricks to get it to drink when the heat is on.

Water is the fluid of choice. Dogs don’t need Powerade. Sometimes flavouring the water may make them
drink more, but clean, fresh water is what most dogs need. Read more

Storing Drinking Water

Water is the single most important thing to store in preparation for an emergency. We can live without food for a few days but we cannot live without water. For an emergency we need to store at least ...

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

This information is from materials created by the Emergency Survival Program (ESP) in 2006 and based on “The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety” in the handbook Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country.

PREPARE

Step 1: Secure it now!

Reducing and/or eliminating hazards throughout your home, neighbourhood, workplace and school can greatly reduce your risk of injury or death following the next earthquake or other disaster. Conduct a “hazard hunt” to help identify and fix things such as unsecured televisions, computers, bookcases, furniture, unstrapped water heaters etc. Securing these items now will help to protect you tomorrow.

Download the Secure It Now! focus sheet

Step 2: Make a plan

Planning for an earthquake, terrorist attack or other emergency is not much different from planning for a party or vacation. Make sure that your emergency plan includes evacuation and reunion plans; your out-of-city contact person’s name and number; the location of your emergency supplies and other pertinent information. By planning now, you will be ready for the next emergency.

Download the Make a Plan focus sheet

Step 3: Make Disaster
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Mental Health Needs Following a Disaster

Two recent articles in the news highlight the need to help groups of people following a disaster by sharing techniques to help them with their pain, grief and fears, and to reinforce that, while these emotions are difficult and unpleasant, they are normal, natural and necessary to healing and getting through the emotional pain to rebuild their lives and communities. This might also alleviate some of the overwhelming burden on professionals in the mental health field.

Chilean Children Suffer from Quake’s Mental Shocks

In Haiti, Mental Health System is in Collapse

GFSC (Global Facilitator Service Corps) provides mentoring, methods and materials to communities to strengthen their resilience in times of crisis and change. The Disaster and Crisis Intervention pamphlets and manuals in the free GFSC online library are designed for adults, children and those who work with them.

We especially recommend:

Bad Things Happen to Good People: A brief outline of normal, necessary emotions and feelings; how to accept and deal with them.

… And Now What? A helping hand for children who have suffered a loss.

A Light in this Dark Alley: A guide for emotional recovery. Read more

Emergency Text Alerts from WREMO (Wellington Region Emergency Management Office)

Keep in touch and hear about Wellington Emergencies.

You can sign up to get emergency alerts from the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) through the Red Cross’ Hazard App, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

This app will allow you to monitor up to five locations and determine what alerts you wish to receive for each location.

The Red Cross Hazards App has been implemented by the New Zealand Red Cross as a platform that provides information on hazards, what to do and users can receive alerts. For more information see the Red Cross website: Hazard App

WREMO will only send alerts when there is a threat to life or significant disruption, that could affect all or part of the Wellington region.

Options

The App has the option to get weather warnings from Metservice and earthquake notifications from Geonet and you can choose whether you wish to receive these notifications for each location you monitor.

What about alerts
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Safe Camping and Caravaning

Before you know the kiwi mass exodus to the beach or country side will begin. Perhaps you’re going to be getting away from it all on your holiday and live in a tent or a caravan and fire up the barbecue. Of course, for others there are the joys of staying at their favourite holiday park – complete with all the traditional fun of this classic kiwi getaway.

However, before you are caught up in the inevitable end of your rush, it is a good time to take steps to make sure that you are ready to get through your holiday safely.

The Ministry of consumer affiars’ energy Safety Service has some advice. Several people have died in New Zealand because caravans were incorrectly hooked up to an electricity supply – make sure you’re hooked up correctly.

Remember the following safety tips:-

Electrical installations in caravans must be maintained in a safe condition. Always have a current warrant of electrical fitness. You can get one from a licensed electrical worker.

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Holiday Preparedness – Avoid Burglaries

It’s the holiday season. In between planning end of year events, Christmas shopping and what to do for the summer break, you need to start thinking about how to make ...

Earthquake Commission

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) was established by the Government in 1945 to provide earthquake and war damage cover for purchasers of fire insurance. Later, cover for other natural disasters was included and, later still, cover for war damage dropped. The modern EQC is a Government-owned Crown Entity.

For 60 years it has been collecting premiums from insured people and during that time a substantial nest egg against damage, called the Natural Disaster Fund, has built up.

There is currently around $5.4 billion in the Fund which is backed up by reinsurance from overseas groups and a Government Guarantee. The Government Guarantee ensures that EQC will always be able to meet its obligations, regardless of the circumstances.

EQC pays out on claims from New Zealand residential property owners for damage caused by earthquake, natural landslip, volcanic eruption, hydrothermal activity, tsunami; in the case of residential land, a storm or flood; or fire caused by any of these.

In a time of major disaster, such as a large earthquake, EQC works through its Catastrophe Response Programme (CRP). The CRP sets out how EQC will cope with the substantial increase in resources that will be required at such a time. The programme includes an alternative operations site and the provision of additional staff and equipment.

EQC also encourages and funds research about matters relevant to natural disaster damage and it educates and otherwise informs people about what can be done to prevent and mitigate damage caused by natural disasters.

For more information about preparing for emergencies, contact us on +64 4 232 5363 or email us. Read more

What’s The Plan Stan

Earthquakes, floods, storms, tsunami, and volcanic eruptions, as well as non-natural hazards such as fires and pandemics, can be frightening because they strike at any time and often without warning.

Understanding what causes these hazards and knowing what to do will help you to be better prepared when they happen.

What’s the Plan Stan is a New Zealand Government website which provides information for families, teachers and students.

Visit the site to find out more about earthquakes, tsunami, floods, storms, volcanic eruptions and other disasters and what you can do to be better prepared when they happen.

You can also help your family and friends get ready. Your family needs to have a plan for what to do if there is an emergency. Read the list of things you should talk with your family about. If you have family pets you will need to include them in your emergency planning.

Teachers: What’s the Plan Stan is a resource which aims to support teachers to develop their students’ knowledge and skills to prepare for, and safely respond to, disasters.