Why do we need a Community Response Group?

The Wānaka Community Response Group (WCRG) was ins􀆟gated by Emergency Management Otago (EMO) who co-ordinate reduc􀆟on, readiness, response and recovery ac􀆟vi􀆟es across the Otago region and have asked all communi􀆟es to stand up Community Response Groups. EMO is a partnership formed between the local authori􀆟es in Otago to enable coordina􀆟on of effort and ac􀆟ons in the event of civil emergencies. Effec􀆟vely, EMO has absorbed the Civil Defence func􀆟on into what is now Civil Defence Emergency Management. It involves not just managing civil defence at the 􀆟me of an emergency but encouraging resilience and preparedness in the community in advance.