Belfast Emergency Response Plan (BERP) – has been developed as a collaborative community response to disasters or emergencies in the Belfast and surrounding area.

BERP began in 2014 as a response to an evacuation of the nearby coastal area, which resulted in people turning up in Belfast. It has since grown to 13 local member groups.

In October 2024 a BERP household preparedness pamphlet was delivered to local households. BCN has spare copies at our facility in Sheldon Park. BERP is also translated into Mandarin thanks to the Asian Community Transformation Trust: https://actt.org.nz/ (Please see attached PDF below)

The administration of BERP is through Belfast Community Network:manager@belfastcommunitynetwork.org.nz

We thank the following organisations who are the main BERP groups :

• Belfast Bowling Club

• Belfast Rugby Club (Venue 1)

• Pūtahi Belfast School

• Belfast Medical Centre

• Belfast Pharmacy

• Belfast Salvation Army

• Christchurch City Council

• Belfast Area Residents Association

• Northwood Residents Association

• Rotary Club of Belfast Kaiapoi

If you Need to Evacuate:

If there is an emergency, the BERP will be enacted and if safe to do so 1 or more of the following facilities in Sheldon Park will be available: the BCN, the Rugby Club, and the Bowling Club. If you need to leave your dwelling, make your way to Belfast Community Network facility, (710 Main North Rd), or one of the other facilities if BCN is unable to open. Look out for the blue Community Emergency Hub Signs. See pictures below for a map of the park area.

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:

https://getready.govt.nz/

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 you are able.
For local assistance contact BCN office: 03 323 9731 , 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 use a battery powered or wind up radio to stay informed.

Local Hazard information:

Silver Fern Farms Alarm Factory Road

Each Thursday 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 be in the way of emergency services accessing the site.

The Silver Fern Farms Alarm could be an Ammonia Leak

You should always head indoors, close all doors and windows when you hear the alarm and 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.

Waimakariri River

For residents near Coutts Island there is a low risk of flooding from the Waimakariri River. The following advice from Environment Canterbury explains what happens if the first stop bank is breached in a 1/100 year flood, plus the role of the secondary stop bank and the new Dickeys Road floodgate.

• Coutts Island residents will have 12 - 24 hours notice to evacuate in a large 1/100 year flood.

• Stock could be housed on the secondary stop bank in an emergency and on other low flood-risk sites on Coutts Island Road (depending on numbers & type of animal).

• Should an emergency be declared Civil Defense will take over and evacuate the area with human life prioritised. Only when the area is fully evacuated will the Dickeys Road flood gate be closed to protect Belfast.

• The Belfast Area Residents Association (BARA) is assisting Coutts Island residents in formalizing an Emergency Flood Plan and a stock evacuation procedure in conjunction with ECAN.

• Please visit the BARA website link below for more details on this issue (search under the Key Documents heading for the ECAN article): https://www.belfastresidents.org.nz/

• Further information about Waimakariri river flow rates is available here https://flowrate.co.nz/river/waimakariri-river/old-highway-bridge This provides an early warning system for residents to track if the river level is rising.

Other Risks

Belfast industrial area, with multiple hazards, the Z Petrol station on Main North Rd and the Sheldon Community Pool (chlorine leak). Please be aware, and make a household emergency plan for evacuation or surviving without essential services. Remember Civil Defense can take up to 3 days to arrive in a disaster. Check on your neighbours and vulnerable community members.