Ask an Expert
If Aftershock got you thinking about disaster preparedness, you can be sure you’re not the only one. We consulted a range of experts during the making of the TV shows – people like disaster response specialist Dave Neru (pictured right), NIWA Senior Scientist James Goff and Graham Leonard Natural Hazards Scientist at GNS – not to mention staff at Ministry of Civil Defence and EQC.
In the weeks after Aftershock aired on TV we encouraged people to ask questions of the experts we’d used in researching the programme. Thank you to those who submitted questions. And thank you to the experts who helped to respond. The questions posted and expert responses are listed below.
Q : Excellent programme. I believe that the main issue we should be addressing is minimising deaths and serious injuries - recovery is a lower priority. E.g., what kind of structural preparedness do schools in low lying areas have against tsunami? One option would be to require all such schools to have a two-storey building built to withstand a tsunami (reinformced masonry?), coupled with a warning siren system and regular drills. Is this a Ministry of Education priority? The alternative would seem to be a high percentage of fatalities for children. David - October 17, 2008 at 12:38 pm
A : The Ministry of Education have Emergency Management information on their website here:http://www.minedu.govt.nz/educationSectors/Schools/SchoolOperations/HealthAndSafety/EmergencyManagement.aspx
Q : Hi there, excellent programme! I live in a thin, 3 storeyed townhouse in Kelburn. I was curious to know, in a serious earthquake (like on the show), how safe are each of the levels of such a house? Are the floors of the upstairs rooms likely to collapse down into the rooms below? Is there a particular part of a multi-storeyed house that is structurally stronger than the rest (say, near to a stairwell or something)? Lucy - October 13, 2008 at 7:45 pm
A : Thanks Lucy, it’s difficult to assess the impact on a specific building without more information. However there are simple things you can check as recommended by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) to ensure your house is more quake proof. Check that your house is bolted to its foundations and properly braced, if not consult a builder about wiring, bolting or bracketing bearers to piles. To help reduce twisting motions of your building the EQC have more information on their site to make your home quake safe. Also think about insurance, New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world with national government earthquake insurance for homeowners. In the event the Civil Defence advise that when shaking starts to move no more than a few steps to a safe place and Drop, Cover, and Hold on. So find a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on, or shelter against an interior wall away from windows and falling items. For more information to quake safe your home, and EQC insurance follow the links from the Survive page.
Q : Our meeting point is at our house. If some event happened in school time (big state school), would we be better to get home first, check out the house and then pick up kids. They are only 5 and 6 and I was wondering if they would be better off at school (depending on state of school) while we sorted house out. School is only 500mtrs from house. N Parker - October 13, 2008 at 10:16 am
A : If your house if very close to the school then meeting at home, assessing the damage and then picking the children up may be the best option in your case. Other families may need to nominate a parent or caregiver to pick up the children en route to home. This is why planning your family's personal emergency plan really helps you think about practicalities of your situation. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster occurring during school time it is the staff’s responsibility to take care of children until they are collected safely by a nominated caregiver. If you don't know already find out what the school’s Civil Defence plan is, communication between schools and families means everyone knows what will happen in the event and provides the chance to think through the emergency plan. See the Civil Defence link What’s the Plan Stan on the Survive page to see a disaster guide aimed at families and teachers.