Get Ready for the Unexpected: Emergency Support Guide Available for Lifestyle Block Owners

Lifestyle block owners can access valuable support for emergency preparedness. Emergency Management Southland has unveiled a convenient handbook designed to assist these owners in effectively managing emergencies that may arise.

Simon Mapp, the manager of Emergency Management Southland, emphasised the unpredictable nature of emergencies and the potential need for lifestyle block owners to handle them independently until external assistance arrives. He expressed the purpose behind the handbook, stating, “We have created a comprehensive guide to help lifestyle block owners prepare themselves prior to an emergency occurrence.”

The Lifestyle Block Emergency Preparedness Handbook offers practical recommendations to enhance the resilience of lifestyle properties during emergency situations. It outlines steps that can be taken to make the property better equipped to handle various emergencies. Additionally, it provides specific guidance on appropriate actions to take in different types of emergencies.

Lifestyle blocks often face unique challenges and obstacles during emergencies due to the combination of semi-rural and urban characteristics. In some cases, the resources and services that lifestyle block owners usually rely on can become limited during such situations. The handbook draws from evidence-based practices and suggestions to support lifestyle blocks in their emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts.

Mapp highlighted the inclusion of helpful templates within the handbook, which enables lifestyle block owners to develop personalised emergency plans that cater to the specific needs of their families and properties. He emphasised the importance of utilising this resource to create a detailed emergency plan that ensures the safety of individuals, their families, and their animals.

Copies of the handbook will be available free of charge starting Monday, July 3rd, at council offices and libraries across Southland. Alternatively, it can be downloaded from the Emergency Management Southland website at https://bit.ly/44m3eCM. This accessibility aims to provide easy access to this valuable resource for lifestyle block owners seeking to enhance their emergency preparedness.