New Zealand | Busy day for rescuers in Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park | 20 Feb 2012
It was a busy afternoon for rescuers from the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation (RARO) and the Taupo Youthtown rescue helicopter yesterday as three separate rescue operations unfolded in the Tongariro National Park.
Emergency services were first notified of a male tourist from Ireland who fell while descending Mt Ngauruhoe with a reported broken collar bone and dislocated shoulder.
Enroute the Youthtown rescue helicopter was diverted to another urgent report of a male suffering chest pains near Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Due to poor weather RARO members assisted with a stretcher carry down Red Crater ridge out of low cloud to a position where the helicopter could access the patient.
He was suffering a heart attack and CPR was preformed and a defibrillator used to resuscitate him on two occasions. He was urgently evacuated to Taupo Hospital before being transported again to Waikato Hospital’s Cardiac Care Unit where he is recovering.
In the meantime RARO members climbed Mt Ngauruhoe to locate and treat the original patient with a shoulder injury.
A short time after locating the patient in heavy cloud with limited visibility, Police received a call informing of a third patient on the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe.
This third patient had injured her knee rendering her unable to walk.
The Youthtown rescue helicopter returned and another two RARO members were deployed with a stretcher to the third patient.
The low cloud made access by helicopter difficult with both patients having to be moved to locations where they could be loaded into the machine while it hovered close to the mountain.
National Park Police praised the efforts of the volunteer RARO members whose specialised skills were put to the test in rescuing all three injured parties in difficult conditions.
ends
New Zealand | One person killed, three seriously injured in Tai Tapu RTC
State Highway 75, Tai Tapu, Selwyn District| 16 Feb 2012
At about 10.45pm on Thursday the 16th of February 2012 a fatal motor vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 75, Tai Tapu, Selwyn District.
One person is deceased and three persons have been transported to Hospital with serious injuries.
The Police investigation is continuing. The deceased’s name will not be released until the afternoon so family can be notified.
New Zealand | Quake resilience must be a focus for Capital
Wellington | 16 Feb 2012
A report to be considered by Wellington City Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee next week highlights that earthquake resilience must be a focus for the next decade in Wellington, says Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
The report presents the first estimates of the potential financial impact an earthquake could have on Wellington. The impact of a major earthquake on the city is estimated to be $37 billion. This estimate includes the loss of buildings and income from businesses, the cost of rebuilding, and costs to the government through benefits and loss of tax revenue.
Work to further strengthen infrastructure and buildings within the city would reduce the damage and associated economic impact of an earthquake.
The report also estimates the cost of strengthening 435 unreinforced masonry buildings to a standard where they are not considered to be earthquake prone at up to $535 million. More detailed assessment of this cost is required as some buildings will have had strengthening work completed already. However, if the government were to raise the standards for buildings then the cost would be higher and a larger number of buildings would need to be strengthened.
“Earthquake resilience is one of the biggest challenges our city is facing in the future. We have already started responding to this issue by strengthening our infrastructure and this will become a greater focus over the next decade,” says Mayor Wade-Brown.
“We have also been working with the government as they begin their review of building legislation and standards and we will continue to be closely involved in this review process.”
To date around 3100 buildings have been assessed in Wellington. Of these, 233 have been assessed as being earthquake-prone. Around 2300 buildings are considered unlikely to be earthquake prone under the current building code.
The Council has been actively requiring building owners to strengthen buildings since the 1980s.
The report identifies a number of options to mitigate the impact of an earthquake on the city which will be considered by the Mayor and Councillors at the Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on 23 February.
In total, the Council is budgeting $44 million on the strengthening of a number of its key buildings, including the Town Hall, over the next few years. Work is already under way on the strengthening of the Council’s 1950s Municipal Office Building in Civic Square.
Councillor Iona Pannett, the Council’s Built Environment Portfolio Leader, says the report also looks at options including accelerating the process to assess the safety of commercial buildings in the city that have not already been evaluated and continuing work with the owners of heritage buildings to identify strengthening options.
The paper also covers a range of proposals relating to the funding of strengthening programmes. Cr Pannett says this could involve, for example, a targeted rating scheme that would enable councils to work with banks and other lending institutions to make borrowing easier for owners seeking to strengthen buildings.
It proposes changes to legislation to enable dangerous elements of buildings to be removed or secured, and advocates new building methods and technology that could enable strengthening work to be completed at reduced cost.
Some $1.4 million has been proposed to be budgeted in the Council’s 2012-22 Long Term Plan to cover investigations into approaches to the treatment of unreinforced masonry buildings, heritage issues and financing proposals.
New Zealand | Nelson police officer’s life saving actions praised
Nelson Bays | 16 Feb 2012
A Nelson Bays Police Officer is being hailed a hero after putting his own safety at risk to save the life of another man on Thursday night.
The officer was called to an incident in which he was required to extricate a man from a running vehicle inside a locked garage about 11pm yesterday.
Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Steve Greally said the Officer had to break a window to enter the building, extricate the man from the vehicle and then open a door which had been pinned shut before dragging the man to safety.
“The place was full of carbon monoxide and he had to take gasps of fresh air from the broken window during the rescue attempt,” Inspector Greally said.
The officer was affected by the carbon monoxide and required treatment at Nelson Hospital. He is now convalescing at home.
“He’s risked his own life to rescue another person and thankfully his efforts have been successful.
“While this was a dangerous situation, the Officer had the presence of mind to call for assistance from fire and ambulance services before to entering the building and they were on hand to give both the officer and the victim assistance once he got the man out of the building.
“I’m extremely proud of the way our Officer has done what was required of him. His actions have clearly saved the life of another man,” Inspector Greally said.
The victim is in Nelson Hospital and expected to make a full recovery.
New Zealand | Theft compromises Porirua’s emergency response
Porirua | 16 Feb 2012
Porirua’s Emergency Operations Centre has been hit hard by an overnight burglary of its offices.
Six laptops, a navigation unit, an emergency response kit and a tool kit were stolen during the break in at the centre in Selby Place, Porirua City.
More losses may be revealed as staff work to identify what else is missing.
Porirua City Council Manager Emergency Management Trevor Farmer says the burglary has been a real blow to the centre’s ability to function effectively in a disaster.
“In the case of power loss, the laptops were connected to an independent system that ran off a generator and allowed us to continue communicating during a disaster. It could be weeks before we are able to replace them with laptops that suit the regional emergency response system.”
On a personal level, one of the laptops belonged to Mr Farmer and contained research and assignments towards his emergency management diploma.
The break-in has been reported to police, who are investigating.
New Zealand | Emergency preparedness for pets – Animals matter in a disaster
NZ | 13 Feb 2012
If disaster were to strike today, would you have a plan to save yourself and your animals? As the anniversary of the February (2011) Canterbury Earthquake approaches, The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is urging New Zealand pet owners to plan for their pets in a disaster now; with the launch of a free online public resource: http://disaster.wspa.org.nz
“Pets are part of your family and it is the owners’ responsibility to keep them safe in a disaster. Hurricane Katrina, which occurred in the United States in 2005, is a real live case of rescue efforts being severely disrupted due to flood victims having no plan for their family pets,” says Bridget Vercoe, Country Manager at WSPA New Zealand.
“Because of no food/water/emergency supplies or a pre-arranged ‘safe house’ for their pets, flood-trapped victims refused to leave their pets behind, risking both human and animal life, on a large scale. Instead, we want Kiwis to make a disaster plan for their family and pets now, so that their pet may actually end up saving their lives; as they and their pet will be well prepared to evacuate fast together, or if safer stay put, with sufficient supplies when a disaster strikes,” says Ms Vercoe.
“If you think this is just a resource for ‘animal lovers’, then think again. This resource provides those with pets with practical advice on how they can include preparations for their animals in their plans for the household in an emergency,” says John Hamilton, the Director at the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM).
The free online resource, developed by WSPA in conjunction with MCDEM, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Royal New Zealand SPCA (RNZSPCA), New Zealand Vet Association and other agencies in the National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Advisory Group (NAWEM)*, gives pet owners all the vital information they need to plan for their animals in a disaster.
Ms Vercoe explains that under New Zealand law it is the owner or person in charge who is responsible for the physical, health and behavioural needs of their pets.
On this website there are free downloadable Disaster Packs providing practical advice for dogs, cats, small animals (rats, mice and guinea pigs), rabbits, fish, horses and Assistance/Guide Dogs. The simple advice contains practical pointers, such as having a water proof cage for your animal, a muzzle for your dog and ensuring your animal is microchipped.
“Microchipping your animal is the single most effective way to ensure their return to you in an emergency. In the Canterbury Earthquake 80% of microchipped animals taken to the Christchurch SPCA were reunited with their owners compared to the 20% un-microchipped. The microchip is your pets’ easiest ticket home from SPCA, vets or Animal Control, provided that all your database details are up-to-date” says Robyn Kippenberger, National Chief Executive at the RNZSPCA.
Beth Allen, Shortland Street Actress (‘Brooke Freeman’) has also lent her support creating a Disaster Plan with her family, for her dog ‘Ned’, to show Kiwis just how easy it is to take the time now and put a plan on paper.
“The advice from WSPA on how to prepare a plan for Ned in a disaster was simple but invaluable and I now feel I have a great plan in place for us and Ned should anything happen. We had a quick chat around the dinner table with the family to work out the plan and now I feel assured that we’ve done all we can to prevent harm coming to our beloved puppy should disaster strike.”
Animals Matter in Disasters – find out how you can save precious time and those lives you consider precious at: http://disaster.wspa.org.nz (also accessible via the WSPA NZ website: www.wspa.org.nz).
*NAWEM is formally recognised by the New Zealand Government as a cluster of agencies whose purpose is to provide advice on animal welfare emergency management. It is made up of representatives from The World Society for the Protection of Animals, The Royal New Zealand SPCA, the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), New Zealand Institute of Animal Control Officers (NZIACO), Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Massey University and the New Zealand Companion Animal Council (NZCAC).
New Zealand | Nine people injured, two children critically hurt in multi-vehicle RTC at Marycrest
Photo credit The Life Flight Trust
Marycrest, Te Horo | 5 Feb 2012
At about 11.15am on 4th February 2012, a crash involving 3 cars occurred on SH1, just South of Te Horo, at a location known as Marycrest.
Police are not providing details that are able to describe vehicles involved until all next of kin have been advised. A north bound white car was stopped on SH1 indicating to turn Right into a private driveway. This vehicle was pulled as far to the right in the North bound lane to allow traffic to pass on its left.
A small truck failed to notice that this white car had stopped, and the truck collided with the rear of this white car, pushing the car into the South bound lane, where it collided with another white car.
The North bound white car had 2 adults and 3 children travelling in it and they were all admitted to Hospital. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was used by the Emergency Services for a 10 year old boy who is in a critical condition and is currently undergoing surgery. A 7 year old girl has spinal injuries and injuries to the remaining occupants were not known, but at the time of this report, the injuries were not life threatening.
The truck had 2 occupants, where they were treated at the scene and it is understood that they did not require any further medical treatment.
The South bound white car had 2 adult passengers travelling in it and again these people were treated at the scene and did not require further medical treatment.
Upon the initial stages of the investigation, it appears that alcohol has not been involved, but this can not be ruled out. Speed, road conditions and driver factors will be investigated and once this has been completed, a decision will be made as to whether charges will follow.
Finally Police would like to thank the public for their patience as the Crash site closed SH1 for about 4 hours and traffic was backed up in both directions, even though a diversion was put in place.
New Zealand | Male motocross driver injured in crash at Bulls Run
Bulls Run, Moonshine Valley, Upper Hutt | 5 Feb 2012
At 10:55am this morning the Life Flight Trust responded to Bulls Run, Moonshine Valley, Upper Hutt to a 50yr old male who was involved in a Motocross Bike accident.
Life Flight responded with a Wellington Free Paramedic on board the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The Helicopter was able to land on a clearing next to the dirt road where the patient was. The patient had been riding his Motocross bike on a track when he fell approx 2m on to a forestry access road. He was complaining of pain to his chest and back. His friends he was riding with were able to call for help via their cell phone.
The patient was flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where he is being treated for his injuries.
New Zealand | Father killed, mother seriously burned, seven-year-old son calls for help in farm electrocution
Kaikoura | 30 Jan 2012
At about 9.00am on Saturday the 28th of January 2012, 39 year-old farm manager Brendon Edward WALKER from Quail Downs near Kaikoura was electrocuted by a power line which had fallen from a power pole. He died at the scene.
His wife who found him was also electrocuted by the same power line when she attempted to get to him. She was flown to Christchurch Hospital with burns to her hand and feet. Their 7 year-old son who was at the scene ran back to the house and called for help. Emergency Services and Mainpower Contractors arrived at the scene a short time later and the power line was isolated.
The live wire had fallen from a nearby power pole which had caught fire at the top dropping the insulators and line near to the ground.
It is believed that WALKER had gone to check stock and found three cows which had been electrocuted by the live wire.
Police and Department of Labour are investigating the incident.
Constable Jon Eagle of the Culverden Police credits the bravery of the 7 year-old boy who ran back to the house and called for help.
“This young man has been confronted by everyone’s worst nightmare but has had the presence of mind to run back to the house and call for help”.
New Zealand | More mobile sirens ready in case of emergency in Hastings
Hastings | 30 Jan 2012
Hastings District Council now has three mobile Public Alert Systems for use in the event of a Civil Defence emergency, with more being delivered in the next few weeks.
The units have been developed in Hastings for use in coastal areas during an emergency. They are easily attached to the roof of any vehicle and broadcast the Civil Defence sting along with a voice message which alerts residents to the emergency and gives them details of what action they should take.
The new warning system has been developed after residents from the coastal communities raised concerns over how they would be alerted in case of an emergency. A number of other options, including fixed sirens were explored but the mobile sirens best met the needs of the coastal communities.
The new system is designed for use in high density urban areas and has a voice range of 200 meters in still conditions while the siren can be heard up to 500 metres from the vehicle
Leader of the Cape Coast Civil Defence Group Stu Hastings says “Extensive testing of the new mobile units has shown they will provide a loud and easily understood message for residents during an emergency. Fixed sirens are limited in their range and effect but the new units can be deployed in the right place at the right time and the voice message can be altered to suit the emergency.”
Hastings Civil Defence now has three of the units ready for use at a moment’s notice while a further four will be available in the next few weeks.
The Public Alert System will be given a further test on Sunday April 1st when New Zealand changes away from daylight saving. The units will broadcast a test message in the coastal areas of Whirinaki, Clive, Haumoana, Te Awanga, Clifton and Waimarama. Residents of those areas will be asked to report on whether they heard the message and if it was easily understood.
Some of the messages which could be broadcast by the mobile systems in the event of an emergency can be heard at http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/stings