My view - tsunami reports

Both the internal and external reviews of the response to the Samoa earthquake and tsunami were released on Friday. The internal review is an honest attempt by MCDEM to improve internal systems and procedures. It doesn't really attempt to look at the wider CDEM sector and recommend improvements for the entire response. I guess that's fair enough although I do think MCDEM underestimate their sphere of influence sometimes.

There have been discussions within the Ministry about re-activating the Tsunami Working Group to help work through recommendations in a consultative manner - good on you MCDEM.

On the other hand... the external review is a waste of time. Not only does the report not address the questions raised in the terms of reference, it was whipped out in short order with unrealistic consultation. For example, the CDEM Groups and NZ Fire Service were not consulted but the National Foundation for the Deaf was - I just don't get that, especially when one of the points was to focus on the 'use of information and distribution of warnings, advisories and messages at the local level'.

The main focus was on public information and all of the sub-areas were to have this slant - but surely local use refers to how successful the Group and Local Public Information Managers and local media were at relaying critical advise and information to the affected communities? Sorry guys but this whopping 5-page report just doesn't cut the mustard.

The internal review is available here, and the external review here.

PIMs ponder possibilities

A meeting of our Group's Public Information Managers, held in Feilding today, provided an excellent opportunity to share what is happening in the world of CDEM, learn from Exercise Regroup and think about where to from here.

Vince Cholewa from MCDEM provided an update on the Ministry activities including professional development opportunities in Christchurch later this year, disaster awareness week (2nd week in October, here is a link to last year's info), and a Te Reo version of What's the Plan Stan being launched this week.

I provided an update on CDEM Group activities, particularly the Plan review, review of the public education strategy, the exercise, use of Groove and answered lots of questions around g-mail and how we can exchange information during an event. Sharing information and helping each other out during smaller events will certainly help to make things smoother during the large events. The PIMS have agreed to share information about media contacts (and PIM contact details) in an effort to collectively become better informed. The introduction of Groove will help PIMS maintain contact data in future.

All-in-all, a really worthwhile meeting and all agreed to meet again later in the year to build on the meetings to date.