Prepared in case of emergency

If a tsunami, earthquake or other civil emergency struck, most people would be winging it, but members of the Mormon church are ready for anything.

Approached in Browns Bay, Jill Cornthwaite, said she hadn’t really thought about where to go if she had to leave, but her kit included water, batteries and food. Katie Voelkening also had an emergency kit but didn’t have food set aside, while David Raubenheimer said, ‘‘I’ve got a cupboard with stuff in it, how long it would last I don’t know.’’

But one couple, Glen and Debbie Reid say they could last almost 200 meals away from home in case of emergency.

The couple said they would confidently be able to leave their Torbay home at a moment’s notice, if required.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are encouraged to be prepared for adversity through food storage and an emergency plan.

So, they have several prepacked buckets from emergency food company, The Wise Company, as well as emergency essentials such as a radio, torch, rain poncho, gas cooker and fishing line.

‘‘If there was an emergency of say, move out of the area and grab what you can, we can pick up about three or four buckets with contents in them,’’ Glen said.

But Glen said the pack wasn’t just in case of emergency.

‘‘If a friend of a friend had a hard time and might need some help, we’re encouraged to help others as well, not just to store it.’’

Auckland Council’s head of resilience and welfare Ani Brunet said, in an emergency, Auckland Emergency Management would broadcast messages via radio.

If required, the council would open civil defence centres but generally advises people to stay at home if it is safe to do so.

‘‘The most important thing is to have thought about how you and your family would connect during an emergency because they can happen any time,’’ Brunet said.

Brunet encouraged people to visit aucklandcivildefence.org.nz or happens.nz for more.

Director of Auckland emergency management John Dragicevich said, in an emergency, tsunami sirens would sound, but people could also subscribe to text message or email alerts, the Red Cross Hazard smartphone app or keep in the loop via Twitter and Facebook.

ZIZI SPARKS/STUFF Glen and Debbie Reid are well prepared in case of emergency with more than 100 meals on hand.