Belfast Emergency Response Plan
Belfast Community Network -
BERP began in 2014 as a collaboration between Belfast Community Network, Christchurch City Council staff, Pūtahi Belfast School, Belfast Rugby Club, Belfast Bowling Club, Rotary Club of Belfast Kaiapoi, Belfast Residents’ Association and Northwood Residents’ Association. A plan was developed to address the needs of the community in the event of a Civil Defence Emergency.
In October 2024 a BERP household pamphlet was developed and mailed to all local Belfast households. BCN has spare copies at our facility in Sheldon Park for any local residents/businesses that require them.
The key facilitation of the BERP is through the Belfast Community Network – manager@belfastcommunitynetwork.org.nz
We thank the following organisations who are the main BERP groups who will respond locally in a civil emergency :
Belfast Community Network
If you Need to Evacuate:
If an emergency has been declared, the BERP will be enacted and if safe to do so the BCN facility, Rugby Club, Pūtahi Belfast school, and the Bowling Club will be opened up to use for emergency management and evacuation. If it is safe to do so and you need to leave your dwelling, make your way to the main hub -Belfast Community Network facility, 710 Main North Rd, in Sheldon Park, Belfast, or one of the other facilities if BCN is unable to open. Look out for the blue Community Emergency Hub Signs.
Before An Emergency Happens Be Prepared!
Go to this link and prepare:
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/services/civil-defence
The national Get Ready website is also helpful:
Here is the template to print out for a Household Plan for emergencies: https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/household/make-a-plan/household-plan#e1326
This video explains how to fill out a Household plan for emergencies: https://youtu.be/zSsAKP32hXA?si=ESgmK_xDvk1iaXiJ
Here is a link to help make a grab bag for emergencies:
https://www.wremo.nz/get-ready/home-ready/grab-bags/
Here are 2 links to support people with disabilities plan for emergencies:
https://nzsl.getready.govt.nz/prepared/advice-for-disabled-people
https://www.wremo.nz/alternative-formats/
If life or property is threatened ALWAYS dial 111
Tune into local radio stations and check on your neighbours, if safe to do so.
For local assistance contact the BCN office 03 323 9731 phone or text 0212806962 or 0212806067 stay informed by following our Facebook Page.
Local Radio Stations:
RNZ National Radio - 101.7 FM or 675 AM
The Hits - 97.7 FM or 96.5 FM
Newstalk ZB - 100.1 FM or 1098 AM
More FM - 92.1 FM, 94.9 FM or 99.1 FM
Magic - 99.3 FM or 738 AM
The Breeze - 94.5 FM
Plains FM - 96.9 FM
Remember if there is no power you can use a battery powered or wind up radio to stay informed in an emergency.
Local Hazard information:
Silver Fern Farms Alarm in Factory Road
Each Thursday morning at 8am a test alarm is sounded at Silver Fern Farms plant. Approximately every 6 months you will hear the alarm sound for evacuation drills for day and night shifts. The alarm is a continuous one and once stopped a short one is sounded as an all clear. As is always safe practice, please do not go to where the alarm is occurring. If this is an emergency you are putting yourself and others at risk and could possibly be in the way of emergency services accessing the site.
The Silver Fern Farms Alarm could be an Ammonia Leak
If this happens you should always head indoors, close all doors and windows when you hear the alarm and also ensure pets are safely indoors. If it is an emergency there will be various methods to inform the community - TV, radio and social media including the Belfast Community Network Facebook page and CCC website.
Some other areas that could pose a risk are the Belfast industrial area, with multiple different hazards, the Z Petrol station on Main North Rd and the Sheldon Community Pool (chance of a chlorine leak).
Please be aware, and make a household emergency plan if you should need to evacuate or are without essential services due to an emergency or natural disaster.
