Review of the Tsunami Evacuation 2017

It appears that it was not always clear what the EOC’s overall objective was for the event, or the
specific objectives for each day and who was responsible for what functions and tasks.
The Local Controller has little capacity to manage the functions of the EOC because the Local
Controller is extremely busy receiving information from CDEM, Group, etc. and making decisions.
On the completion of the Precinct, the various emergency agencies will be housed within the same
building. The EOC will therefore be set up within the Precinct. This will likely result in some of the
observations and recommendations relating to the EOC to be reviewed and streamlined.
Recommendations
The CDEM team should liaise with Christchurch Police and Group to discuss establishing an evacuation
register as part of an existing civil defence website. The information provided would need to be
managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993 to ensure confidentiality and security. Provision for
evacuees who report to welfare centres to register themselves on the evacuation register should be
explored.
A campaign should be undertaken to enlist more civil defence volunteers. Additionally, Council staff
(with the necessary skills), should be regularly trained to respond to civil defence emergencies.
Residents need reassurance that even when some volunteers leave, there are sufficient volunteers
available to respond to an event. The Council should look to external parties (other agencies and
residents) to enlist the assistance of specialised and skilled personnel to staff the EOC. This would
reduce the pressure on the Council to resource the EOC as well as continue to provide business as
usual services.
Before communication is issued to the public regarding the opening of welfare centres, the CDEM
team need to:
• identify which facilities are appropriate to be used as welfare centres
• check that they are outside the evacuation zone
• liaise with the welfare staff to determine exactly what time the facility will be open
• check whether any specific resources are required to be provided.
A clear line of communication must be implemented between CDEM and each welfare centre with one
person at each end responsible for keeping the other informed on a regular basis with updates.
Resources at welfare centres should be sufficient to provide evacuees with basic food and water
provisions, something to sleep on and some form of entertainment (especially for children). A stock
take of the resources available at each welfare centre should be undertaken regularly to identify
deficiencies.
EOC systems and processes need to be reviewed to ensure that there is absolute clarity with respect
to:
• who is the one person with overall responsibility for the EOC and the lines of communication
to and from that person;
• who is responsible for each component of the EOC (i.e. Intel, Logistics, PIM) and what
actions/functions that component is responsible for;
• the shift handover process;
• ensuring that templates, database and other resources are up to date.
EOC staff who are called in should be well trained. An organisational commitment is required to
ensure there is sufficient provision for the EOC. Staff should only be required to work for a reasonable
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