Planning for a catastrophic event

While the likelihood of catastrophic level events remains low, it still remains a possibility, and as such there is a lot of work underway across government, to ensure the country is as ready as it can be, to respond to such an event. 

The Delegated Chief Executive’s Network (DCEN) is a central government initiative to support system readiness for senior staff who have been identified as their agencies delegated Chief Executive following a catastrophic Wellington earthquake, or similar event that significantly disrupts Wellington’s ability to operate following a disaster.

The purpose of the DCEN is to create a network so that senior staff can more effectively engage with each other and build confidence and capabilities. The focus of the DCEN’s ongoing education and awareness-raising programme is on ensuring alternate leadership and response capability in Auckland; continuing the critical services and functions of government; and contributing to the wider system response (as outlined in the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)’s Catastrophic Event Handbook).(external link)

Their recent forum looked at the challenges of working and responding in a catastrophic event for leaders who have been identified as delegated Chief Executives, providing advice and guidance on:

• What is your role as a Delegated CE?
• Personal Preparedness in a crisis -Getting through the initial hours? First few days. Focusing on your own and your people’s wellbeing, health and safety first and foremost.
• Occupational Stress, Overwork Risks and managing work expectations.
• Crisis will heighten H&S risks: Extra care needs to be taken around HS awareness and decision making to reduce the risk of harm. Officer duties are not suspended.
• Catastrophic Programme Scope - Business Continuity tasks, Incident Management, Capability and Crisis Management, Management tasks  operating principles.

The Auckland Policy Office (APO) and National Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with DPMC and MBIE, jointly host the DCEN meeting, which meets every two months. The continuing programme for the DCEN includes:

• New Zealand’s emergency planning environment
• Understanding your agency’s Business Continuity arrangements
• The Alternative NCMC, its workforce and the operating system (CIMS)
• The role and purpose of ODESC
• Continuity of government- cabinet, Ministers and Parliament
• Operating as your agency’s delegated Chief Executive
• Your agency’s role in a catastrophic event

For more information feel free to contact Matt Shaw via:  DCENetworkSecretariat@mbie.govt.nz