Civil Defence website upgraded
A new-look website launched by the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group provides people with improved access to valuable information to get through a disaster.
Waikato Regional Council staff have redeveloped the waikatoregioncdemg. govt. nz website for the civil defence group to provide improved functionality for the public and emergency response sector.
‘‘By going to the home page of the website people will be able to immediately determine if there is an event the group is responding to,’’ said Group Controller Lee Hazlewood.
‘‘For any event – such as a tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption or flood – with just one click people will then be able to find in one place any related media and community information,’’ he said.
‘‘The group site has been developed in- house, and because there are a number of people across the regional council already doing web editing, it means we have a much larger pool of people familiar with our web system who can quickly and efficiently update and customise our information.
‘‘This is especially important in an event when we might need to operate around the clock to provide people with timely information and advice.’’
A subscription service has been enabled on the website, so people are able to subscribe to receive email notifications when new information is posted, including on the events and media release pages.
People also have access to radio frequencies for key stations operating in the region, so they can keep up to date with the latest warnings, advice and information relating to a civil defence response.
‘‘We have also developed a fun online tool which helps people to learn about the hazards in the Waikato and what you should do before, during and after an event.
‘‘It allows kids and adults to pick a hazard and test how much they know. ‘‘We hope it will encourage people to look through the website to find out more about the hazards and risks in the Waikato region and then take the necessary steps to ensure they are prepared,’’ he said.
‘‘The Waikato is vulnerable to all the hazards, so it is important people do take the time to find out as much as they can about the risks and ways they can prepare for them,’’ Mr Hazlewood said.
Keep up to date with the latest information by visiting the Facebook page, www.face book.com/WakatoCivilDefence or checking out the website, www. waikatoregioncdemg. govt.nz. Or follow on Twitter: @CivilDefenceWKT