1

NZ USAR
Communications Strategy
2005/2006

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 2

NZ USAR
Communications Strategy 2005/06
OBJECTIVES
• Increased Emergency Management sector awareness about NZ USAR capability and how it
can assist during an emergency.
• Increased CDEM understanding of the role of USAR and how it can work with the community
before, during and after an emergency.

AUDIENCES
Primary focus - the decision makers of all emergency management agencies
Agencies/ Sectors
NZFS Police Health ODESC CDEM Gps/ Other
TLAs Groups1
Who Nat District Operational CEOs of CEG See note
Commanders Operations Managers Govt Depts below
Controllers
Exec briefing Commanders comprising
ODESC Group EMOs
Reg
Commanders
briefing
Why How to deploy USAR Base level Capability Understand TF Understand
capability training & status role, resource TF role,
interaction capability; resource
How integrated
on medical context of RRT; capability;
via CIMS
aspects deployment deployment
Respective procedures, procedures,
agency roles incident control where they fit
arrangements
etc
What/ Briefing notes ComCen SOP ComCen Bullet point Presentations
How plus Fact SOP on agenda
ComCen SOP Segment in
Sheet
Build into Controllers
decision- course
making
algorithm
Adaptable presentation package
Annual reports from S/Cttee (capability status)

Secondary focus – the front line staff of all emergency management agencies and territorial
authorities
KEY MESSAGES
The following are the key messages we need to impart.
• What USAR is
• Details of NZ’s USAR capability
• When USAR resources can be of assistance
• When & How to request USAR resources

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 3

• What to expect

MEDIA
Management team meetings Poster
Radio – National state owned & private radio broadcasting companies Face to Face
National & Regional Newspapers Brochure
Publications - pamphlets, Fire Rescue & Impact magazines Power point
Websites- With links to NZFS & MCDEM EM conferences
Public displays – Exercises, other CDEM open days Training courses
Television –TV1 & TV3 for news of major events

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 4

Title (???)

National PPT
Oversight
(Awareness) ODESC

NZFS (SMT) PPT +

Police (district commanders) National
Strategic CDOs Conference/UFBA
Land SAR
capability /
(Agency development
specific) plan (concept of
MFAT/NZAID/NZDF
operations)

TFs
PPT / Modified
CDEMGs/CEGs concept of
RRTs
Ambulance operations
Frontline Mines Rescue
+Brochure
Police/DHBs/TLAs/CDOs +Mobile open-
Toll Rail days
PBT

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 5

Capability/Structure (ops)
What is USAR?
1) History

USAR 2) Governance

a) Strat Diagram

3) Op Diagram

a) NZFS B.All (photo)

b) T.F. Tools
Taskforce RRTs NZFS c) T.F. – Ops – Image
Heavy Normal Risk ??? d) T.F. – Self sufficient
TF Support
K9 Light (?) e) T.F. Management
Engineers (USAR) K9 (?)
Medics (USAR) Light Line 4) When can USAR be used?
CAT 1-3 Engineers (civil/L1)
Welfare 5) How to request
Flood Response National
a) Declared
EOC Support CDEM
b) Non-declared
Task as required
6) Payment (rec. Plan
costs)
7) What to expect?

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 6

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 7

METHODS
NZFS
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

Police
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

Health
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

ODESC
• Presentations

CDEMG’s
• Presentations to Groups & CEGs
• Exercise viewing opportunities
TLA,s
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

MFAT
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

NZAid
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

Defence
• Management team meetings
• Presentations
• Exercise viewing opportunities

Front Line Staff

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 8

Fire
o Management team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

Police
o Management team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

Ambulance
o Management team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

RRT’s
o Regional team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

TF’s
o Management team meetings

CDO’s
Health Care Responders
o Management team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

Mines Rescue
o Management team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

Toll Rail
o Management team meetings
o Presentations
o Exercise viewing opportunities

Land SaR

Publications
• Regular articles in sector magazines eg: Fire Rescue & Impact
• Pamphlets distributed to the sector

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 9

Website
The website is being upgraded. It includes information about NZ USAR . In an emergency a
public viewing link should be put in place. The USAR websites is linked to the NZFS and MCDEM
websites and could be linked to TLA websites. Regional Council sites also links to other key sites.
Website info should be included in all advertising, articles etc.

Displays
Maintain national awareness through interactive display at exercises, fielddays and emergency
services open days.
Displays at key events – such as UFBA conference and CD conferences
Presentations
• Emergency services management team meetings
• Emergency services conferences- UFBA, CFO’s, CDO’s. MCDEM directors forum
• CEG’s
• Controllers workshops

Internal TA staff
Council staff need to be well informed so that they understand the roles USAR can play in an
emergency. They can also distribute information to other agencies.
• Keep TA staff informed on promotions, events, training and information available.
• Invite TA staff to events when USAR are involved in field days, exercises and demonstrations.

CDEM PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS

These are designed by MCDEM & CDEM Groups to focus promotional effort during the year –
rather than spreading resources too thinly. Each campaign is multi-layered with news reports,
press and radio advertising and centred on a high profile external event/ issue that people can
relate to.

E.g. 75th Anniversary of 1931 HB Earthquake

Aim
To recognise the importance of this event both for the local community and nationally
To reinforce the growing importance of Civil Defence as an organisation and earthquake protection
as a necessity.
To recognize the capability and value of USAR resources following such an event.

The Public
Newspapers & Radio
• Newspapers have the benefit of providing pictures and longer articles which people will take a
little time to absorb if they are interested. Media releases and interviews are free. Newspapers
reach a wide range of people.

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 10

• Regional Newspapers have more limited circulation/subscription but are recognised as leading
on news so have more impact.
• Radio is immediate – a good way to comment on a current situation in NZ or overseas or to get
an immediate response. Radio is the dominant media in an emergency.
• Television is increasingly possible as a medium for national and regional news items
• Create a strong profile for the USAR managers or teams in national & local media. Be known
as “experts” in our specialist field
• Keep reporters informed with background and explanatory information including newsletters,
copies of publications, and invitations to events.
• Comment on events nationally or overseas, and relate them to similar situations that may occur
here. This gives reporters a perspective on the news and links it to the local community.
Example - follow up a major earthquake somewhere in the world or even nationally by
contacting the radio or newspaper to relate it to a possible New Zealand event and remind
people that our USAR resource is available to help.

Media Features
Use media features for significant events to gain attention and provide more information than a
media article normally can provide.
• Feb 3 is the anniversary of the Hawke's Bay Earthquake and is used each year to focus on a
“HB Earthquake Week” theme for public awareness information and publicity.
• Used the annual Emergency Management awareness week – with the focus on planning for
USAR response.

Radio
• Radio news items
Maintain strategic relationship with station managers so they are more part of the team when we
need to organise messages especially during an emergency.

Television
• Notify & work with television anytime USAR resources are deployed to an emergency
• Link to international disaster coverage to promote NZ’s USAR capability
• Notify television anytime USAR resources are involved in exercised or demonstrations
• Investigate the possibility of a special feature on NZ USAR. Perhaps during next Cat 2 course

Methods
Programmed separately.
Will involve Mayors, Chair, Councillors

8. COSTS

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009

 11

TB costed

9. COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES, TARGETS & MEASUREMENTS

TB identified

EM Communications Strategy 2005/06 26/06/2009