Community Emergency Hubs do not automatically open during an emergency. Each hub decides whether to operate based on need and their resourcing and capacity to open at the time. Check official updates and media releases to find out which hubs are open.
Being prepared for an emergency
It’s important you make sure you and the people and things you care about, are ready. Every household’s plan will be different, so we encourage you to plan in case you have to rely solely on your own resources, and resources in your neighbourhood, for some time.
For more information on what to do to get through, head to the Get Ready website.
When is a Community Emergency Hub needed?
A Community Emergency Hub is needed when there has been an emergency, such as an earthquake or cyclone, where people need assistance, and the support needed is beyond the current capability of council and emergency services. There are keyholders near each Hub who are available to open locations for neighbours to pitch in when the time comes.
We appreciate our community is always keen to help out in emergencies, and Hubs are a great way to offer your skills and support the people around you while the most urgent callouts are prioritised.
How do the Hubs run?
Each Hub has a Hub Guide, which walks you through how to coordinate your neighbourhood response, and what roles need filling. Roles are allocated on the day, depending on who turns up.
While the Community Emergency Hubs are set up to run without official assistance, Civil Defence / Emergency Management are always here to help. Hub teams can communicate with the Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre and seek help for issues you need some extra support with addressing in your neighbourhood.
How do Hubs fit into the official emergency response?
Community Emergency Hubs are run by the community and pitch in to help their neighbours in a coordinated way, while Civil Defence is prioritising the most urgent callouts. While the Community Emergency Hubs are set up to run without official assistance, Civil Defence and Emergency Management are always here to help.
What about Civil Defence centres? Will these still be set up in a major emergency?
Yes, Civil Defence centres will still be established in major emergencies. The Community Hubs will continue to be a community-led space you can go to if you need assistance in an emergency.
Will other neighbourhoods get Community Emergency Hubs?
We are looking to roll Community Emergency Hubs in other neighbourhoods in Tauranga.