The Government today announced plans to overhaul outdated technology that has hampered the response to major natural disasters.
By Reuben Smith
Plans for the upgraded technology, which would simplify the communication and information systems used by emergency management, was unveiled this week by Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell ahead of today's Budget.
"It’s something that was highlighted as an issue right back in 2011 when we had the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquakes and the sector itself has been asking for this for a long time," Mitchell said.
Reviews of the response to Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 also found that emergency systems were overwhelmed and first responders were hampered by outdated technology.
A common operating picture will provide emergency management with a single view of information during an emergency. (Source: 1News)
The new Common Operating Picture will provide emergency management with a single view of information during an emergency.
Maps, population data, infrastructure status and available resources will all be accessible.
Mitchell told 1News the upgrade is long overdue.
The project will be funded through this year’s Budget, with the National Emergency Management Agency overseeing the implementation.
Agency acting director Stefan Michie said the common operating picture will save lives.
"For emergency management, what this will means is we can understand what is happening so much faster and so much more clearly and therefore make better decisions and faster decisions as well as putting information in the hands of people who can make their own decisions," Michie said.
Previously, emergency management relied on collecting data from several separate sources.
"Sometimes it’s a matter of getting hold of individuals across different regions – even different parts of a city – and figuring out what’s going on and then trying to bring it into a coherent picture. This tool will allow us to bring together a vast amount of data very quickly."
Parts of the system will also be public facing, so members of the public can see where to evacuate and get real-time information.
Emergency services said it’ll benefit them on the ground too.
"The ability for us to inter-op together, communicate together and respond to small- or large-scale events has to be a benefit to New Zealanders," said Inspector Kerei Gray from NZ Police.
Hato Hone St John business change manager Chris Laufale welcomed the improved connectivity.
"It means that I can connect back to base, I can get all the information I need, I know where to go, I get everything I need to do my job properly and save lives," he said.
Kahapai marae co-ordinator Tane Tomoana from Waipatu Marae in Hawke’s Bay said Cyclone Gabrielle was unprecedented for the community and the ability to have information from emergency services in one place will be a game-changer.
"I think the rest of the country knew what was happening around us before we did because we had no power, no internet, no communications. So just having access to some visibility of what's happening around us would be amazing," Tomoana said.
The Common Operating Picture is planned to be in development for around three years.
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