Introduction

THE MOST IMPORTANT  component of staying safe during an emergency is communication.

Experience from overseas, and most recently the wildfires and floods in Australia, have shown the communities that can communicate, survive the best in emergencies.

During an emergency a community can not rely on a cell phone or internet to communicate. Both of these services require land based infrastructure to support them and it is often this which is destroyed by a natural disaster be it electricity, cell towers or fibre cable. This is a well known reality by Emergency Responders and as such, one of the most common ways they communicate is through portable radio.

Portable radio does not require a terrestrial infrastructure. Everything it requires is contained within the handset which allows it to communicate with any like handset within its range in the community.

There is a need to have an open forum for the discussion of Emergency Communications within Communities here in New Zealand in preparation for any disaster. It is becoming apparent that in the event of a major event, such as the rupturing of the Alpine Fault, communities may well be isolated and have to provide for themselves for up to 3 weeks before any outside help can get to them.

Communication, first within the community and secondly to the outside is vital for a better chance of survival. CDEM (Civil Defence Emergency Management) is encouraging Communities to establish a good Communications Network in preparation for any disaster.

This website has been established to provide information, facilitate discussion and exchange ideas on how to best achieve this objective. The forum is open to any person within New Zealand who has an interest and would like to learn and contribute to the group. Members of Communities, Amateur Radio Operators, Emergency Service Personnel, CDEM, Local Bodies, or any other persons with something to contribute are Welcomed.