Emergency Response

Goal of this training

Remember the key takeaways of an effective emergency response. In an emergency situation our reactions can vary, and we may not make the most rationale and best decisions. This training aims to help you make the best decisions in an emergency situation.

This training covers the Wanderlust emergency plan. All personnel must familiarise themselves with the plan (and take the Quiz below).

In all emergency situations:

• Don't panic
• Assess Situation
• Check resources
• Check options
• Take action

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Wanderlust emergency plan  

Our business has an obligation to be prepared for an emergency. Our plan is based on government guidance at Get Ready (business.govt.nz).

In most cases we can’t predict when an emergency will happen. But we can make plans to make sure our staff and guests are safe; our financial and personal losses are reduced, and we are able to get back to business as soon as possible.

Our plan covers the following:

1) Emergency procedures for fire, earthquake, tsunami and other hazards

2) Assembly points, wardens and first aid training

3) How to contact staff and suppliers

4) Alternative arrangements if you are unable to access your premises, files, etc.

EARTHQUAKE

In the event of an earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold! Advise any guests you have with to do the same immediately.

Drop down on your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck. Hold on to your shelter.

Get ready before an earthquake

Work out what supplies you might need and make a plan together.

Practise Drop, Cover and Hold at least twice a year. You can do this when the clocks change and by taking part in New Zealand ShakeOut. It's important to practise the right action to take so that when a real earthquake happens, you know what to do.

Identify safe spaces to Drop, Cover and Hold within your home, school, work and other places you often visit.

• Somewhere close to you, no more than a few steps away, to avoid injury from flying debris.
• Under a strong table. Hold on to the table legs to keep it from moving away from you.
• Away from windows that can shatter and cause injury. And from tall furniture that can fall on you. Protect your head and neck with your arms.
• Not in a doorway. In most homes, doorways are not stronger than any other part of a house and a swinging door can cause more injury.

[Earthquake kits are available? at the Phillip Street Depot. They are located in the storeroom? Describe the contents of the kits]

What to do after an earthquake

Expect more shaking. Each time you feel earthquake shaking, Drop, Cover and Hold. More shaking can happen minutes, days, weeks, months and even years following an earthquake.

• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary.
• If at the Depot, or in a building do not run outside. It is frightening to stay in a building immediately after an earthquake, but it is much safer than going outside. An earthquake is not like a fire. You do not have to evacuate a building straight away unless it is showing obvious signs of distress or you are in a tsunami evacuation zone.
• Turn off water, electricity and gas if advised to. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window, get everyone out quickly and turn off the gas if you can.
• If you see sparks, broken wires or evidence of electrical system damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box if it is safe to do so.
• If you can, put on protective clothing that covers your arms and legs, and sturdy footwear. This is to protect yourself from injury by broken objects.
• If you are in a tour facility (e.g., Weta, the Cable Car Museum) or an unfamiliar building, follow the instructions of those in charge.
• Use social media or text messages instead of calling to keep phone lines clear for emergency calls.

If your property is damaged

• Do not do anything that puts your safety at risk or causes more damage to your property.
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
• Take photos of any damage. It will help speed up assessments of your claims.

TSUNAMI

If it is long and strong, get gone! (to higher ground).

Move you (and any guests) immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as possible. Don’t wait for an official tsunami warning.

What to do during a tsunami or when a tsunami warning is issued

Know the natural warning signs and take action.

For a local source tsunami, which could arrive in minutes, there won’t be time for an official warning. It is important to recognise the natural warning signs and act quickly.

Drop, Cover and Hold if there is earthquake shaking. As soon as the shaking stops, move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones. Even if you can't get out of your evacuation zone, go as far or as high as you can. Every metre makes a difference.

If you are near a shore and experience any of the following, take action. Do not wait for official warnings.

• Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand or a long earthquake that lasts more than a minute
• See a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• Hear loud or unusual noises from the sea

Remember, Long or Strong, Get Gone. 

Walk, run or cycle, if at all possible, to reduce the chances of getting stuck in traffic congestion.

While evacuating, avoid hazards caused by earthquake damage, especially fallen power lines.

Do not return until you get an official all-clear message from Civil Defence.

If out on a tour

• Drop, Cover, and Hold until the shaking is over. If the earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is strong enough to make it difficult to stand, move quickly to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones.

• Lead the people around you to higher ground if there is a tsunami risk. A tsunami risk is immediately present after every stronger earthquake.

• Only use your vehicle if it is practical, safe, and the fastest option to remove people from the danger zone. The danger zone for a tsunami is considered at over 10m of elevation.

• Choose the closest possible higher ground and evaluate the situation. Only travel longer distances by vehicle if necessary.

• Remain in place and make sure everyone is safe until you can be sure that there is low risk in continuing with the tour or making your way back to your destination.

• If communication is available, contact a manager and wait for confirmation that it is safe to progress.

• Take extra care for dangers when continuing the tour.

• In all emergencies, collaborate with other PCBU's (people with responsibility) on-site (e.g., Weta) or within reach to find the best option.

• Each vehicle contains a folder with our Emergency Response Plan as a copy in the emergency kit in the boot.  

Understand where tsunami safe areas are on your tour routes.

2) ASSEMBLY POINTS, WARDENS, AND FIRST AID TRAINING

Assembly Points:

Phillip Street Depot: Parking area by container

Weta Cave: 

129 Park Road: Carpark outside 127

Terawhiti Station: Front gate parking area

Otari Wilton's Bush: Main carpark

Wardens

Michael Chew (office)

First Aid Training

To actively encourage contractors and employees to attend First Aid Courses. Regular [timeframe] training/refresher courses will be offered to personnel throughout the year.

See the updated list of trained First Aid personnel (located xx)

 

Contact phone numbers for all staff and suppliers are listed in the attached document.

Loss of Mobile Coverage

Some areas where we take our guests are without mobile coverage. In the event of a breakdown (e.g., vehicle), make sure to park or place the vehicle in a safe place. Lead your guests to a safe location if this is not the vehicle itself.

Total Communication Blackout or Interruption

Can't reach help? If no one answers your call due to systems being down, overloaded or highly frequented

Leave detailed messages and try making contact with the nearest available person/people around you. In an event of total loss of communication that can't be restored return directly to where the general base of WTGL is considered. This will be the dedicated meeting point in a "total loss of communication event". Do so only if safe. If unsafe remain or put yourself and your group into the situation you consider the safest and wait until you have more detailed information. 

Situations where someone on the tour or a team member, including yourself, requires first aid at some stage are likely. All our guides are required to have valid first aid certificates.

Potentially Dangerous People or Bomb/Armed Threat

Avoid the situation. If visiting a building/premises (e.g. Wētā), follow the instructions of staff. Lead yourself and the people around you to a safe place and call 111.

In the case that a staff member has an accident or becomes unwell while at work, the following procedures will be followed:

• If it is a medical emergency, then someone must call 111.

• If it is not deemed to be a medical emergency, treat using the first aid kit and call Scott Courtney or Nathan Clear.

• A staff member must complete the Accident Investigation Form (Refer to Appendix B attachment), upon returning to the office, the same day as the incident occurred.

• If First Aid treatment is given, the First Aid Treatment Register must be completed (refer to Appendix C Attachment).

• All accident and incident records will be retained for a minimum of 24 months.

Follow your First Aid training and vehicle training instructions. Call 111 if emergency services are required.

For any other H&S-related questions, or suggestions, please use the forms provided or talk to a manager.

 

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