New Zealand: People urged to train for disaster

It is essential that communities are prepared and can look after themselves as the demand would probably overwhelm the emergency services and civil defence if a major disaster hit Central Otago, reports Stuff. After the Christchurch earthquakes, people became aware of the risk of a disaster but some people still think "it wasn't going to happen to them," said Central Otago District Council emergency management officer Hamish Keith, adding that being part of a civil defence group is a great way to increase personal preparedness and enhance the capability of the community to respond.