Govt chips in for local Civil Defence

Chester Borrows

Government funding has boosted the coffers of the Whanganui and Manawatu emergency services group to the tune of $120,000.

The money will go to the Manawatu-Wanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group and will be used to develop and implement an emergency management information system and information and management sharing system for use during emergencies.

A total of eight groups across New Zealand received a share of the $889,000 fund which is distributed annually by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. It follows on from last month's $6.2 million Budget boost for the Ministry.

Whanganui MP Chester Borrows said the grant recognised for the group's "outstanding work to enhance resilience to civil emergency hazards".

"It's important to recognise that some of the best work towards enhancing New Zealand's resilience is happening in our regions. That's why the Government is supporting communities to continue this great work, and share their skills and knowledge across the country," Mr Borrows said.

He said CDEM Manawatu-Whanganui will be able to use the funding to help identify and understand risks faced in the region and to respond to and recover from emergencies.

Civil Defence in across both regions is co-ordinated via the CDEM Group. Set up in 2002, it's based on regional boundaries and combines local councils, emergency services, health boards and other organisations in a coordinated approach to emergency management.