Sponsored: Getting Prepared Picton Emergency Education Day

Mark your calendars now! A Community Emergency Education Day is coming to Nelson Square in Picton on Saturday, October 11 from 10am to 2pm, and it promises to be as informative as it is interactive for the whole family.

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

In a region as geographically isolated and disaster-prone as Picton, the importance of being ready for a major emergency can’t be overstated. That’s where the Waitohi Emergency Support Team has stepped in. It is a locally driven, independent volunteer group supported by Marlborough Emergency Management, which is hosted by the Marlborough District Council’s Civil Defence organisation.

The team formed out of the stark realisation that Picton lacked a clear emergency response framework. “There is always the threat of a major natural disaster resulting in people getting cut off by slips and the loss of power,” explains chairperson Max George. “It’s happened before, and in the case of a big earthquake, there is potential for devastating changes to the local landscape.”

The team’s mission is simple but powerful: preparedness through community connection. Their motto, “Know your neighbour, know your community,” underlines their grassroots approach. Rather than taking over in a crisis, they aim to equip residents with the knowledge and networks they need to help themselves, and each other, when the unexpected happens.

Building a Resilient Community

“A key part of the team’s work involves trying to find out who may be particularly vulnerable should an emergency event happen,” says Max. “It’s about people knowing who lives around them and what they will need help with. It’s also figuring out what resources we have like who’s got a digger, who’s first aid trained, or who can organise food for example.”

The organisation is centred around four key groups which include Medical Support, led by St. John and the local Medical Centre, Food and Water Logistics with support from local supermarkets, Contracting and Infrastructure and Communication, including a dedicated radio group trained to maintain contact when normal communication lines go down.

Each of these groups plays a part in a larger plan which is ensuring Picton isn’t caught off guard and the Community Education Day will be a great opportunity to gain skills and information.

Community Emergency Education Day

This will be a hands-on, family-friendly event designed to engage the whole community, including children, who will get the chance to fill sandbags that contain treasure and learn emergency skills in a fun and memorable way.

Attendees can look forward to a water pump and fire engine display, CB radio demos and communication stations, a stall on first aid preparedness, The opportunity to connect with neighbours and take home a helpful info form, a coffee cart and sausage sizzle for a relaxed community vibe, a resource guide to local emergency contacts and plans and a chance to talk directly with emergency responders and volunteers.

One of the key messages the team wants to share is that locals can’t rely on shops or emergency services to always be accessible after a disaster. “The supermarkets in Picton have very limited supplies,” says Max. “People think, ‘We’ll just go to the supermarket,’ but the fact is, you might not even be able to get there. Everyone needs to be aware of what resources will or won’t be available and needs to prepare now.

The major focus is on educating people to be self-reliant. What should be in your first aid kit? How much food and water should you store? What’s the plan if the roads are impassable? These are the types of questions that this important event aims to help with.

“We’re giving people the tools to keep themselves and the community safe,” says Max. “It’s about reminding people that this stuff matters and also making it fun so it sticks.”

Looking Ahead

The Emergency Education Day team is committed to making it an annual fixture in the community calendar. “We’re having monthly meetings, and we’re developing emergency pods with high-vis gear, kits, and more. This is just the start.”

They’ve also recently completed Picton’s own Emergency Management Plan, now available on the Marlborough District Council website which is a major milestone in building a resilient local response network.

As Max says, “We’ve got plenty of people willing to help. If something happens, we need to know the steps to take and who is available to do what’s needed. I got involved because I just want to help connect people, so that when disaster strikes, we know each other and what to do.”

A very large earthquake such as an Alpine Fault rupture, is in our future as are climate events and preparedness isn’t optional, it’s essential. The Waitohi Emergency Support Team is stepping up to help empower others so that when the worst happens, everyone can be safe. Their message is clear: resilience starts at home, and it starts now.

WEST would like to thank the following supporters and sponsors:
Picton Medical Centre, Picton Police, Picton Fire Brigade, St John, Coast Guard, Waikawa Marae, Picton Lions, Crafar Crouch Picton, Fresh Choice Picton, 4 Square, ITM Picton, Sandfords, Port Marlborough, Beachcomber Cruises, Picton Manufacturers.