The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is currently working on the next five-year Group Plan.

The plan is the guiding document for CDEM work across the region, and is required under legislation.

Public consultation is underway, and one of several ways that people can share their thoughts is via an online survey at www.participate.boprc.govt.nz/groupplan

'A lot of people don't realise this, but a big part of Civil Defence Emergency Management is making sure we are doing things the way communities want us to,” says Bay of Plenty Emergency Management director Clinton Naude.

Clinton wants people to know they have a say in how their region prepares for and responds to emergencies.

'Every five years we review our key guiding document for the Bay of Plenty. Its full name is the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan, and it shows what we want to achieve to help keep our communities safe.”

A Group Plan is a public document that outlines how a Civil Defence Emergency Management Group works together with the community.

The Bay of Plenty CDEM Group is made up of all seven councils in the region, the Group office - called Emergency Management Bay of Plenty - and key emergency partners including Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Police.

Clinton says it's important for the Group Plan to be revised because a lot can change in five years.

'So much has happened since the current Group Plan was put in place. Our population is bigger and more diverse, science and technology has advanced and, unfortunately, we've had multiple disasters across the Bay of Plenty -from a pandemic to a volcanic eruption and several flood events.”

The National Emergency Management Agency was also established within the last five years.

'Right now, NEMA is reviewing the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act which dates from 2002.

'Those changes will also affect the way we work, so there's a lot going on.”

Bay of Plenty Emergency Management director Clinton Naude.

Clinton says now is the chance for people to have their say on how the Bay of Plenty carries out emergency management: people can share their thoughts now in an online survey. Survey findings will assist in developing a draft plan early next year.

There will be further submissions and hearings before the 2023-2028 Group Plan is formally completed.

'We really want to hear what people have to say: all the work we do is for the good of our communities and to keep people safe, so it's important to make sure we are doing what people actually need and want.”

To have your say, go to www.participate.boprc.govt.nz/GroupPlan.

Everyone who takes part before November 20 will go in the draw for an Emergency Grab and Go bag.