Updating how we manage buildings in an emergency
Posted: 3 February 2021
When a damage-causing emergency occurs, it’s critical that territorial authorities are able to quickly mobilise the right resources to protect lives, buildings, public thoroughfares and critical infrastructure.
As a steward of building management in emergencies, we play a significant role at a national coordination level when an emergency occurs – from the initial response right through to recovery. This requires having coordinated readiness, response, and recovery arrangements in place that involve building owners, territorial authorities, CDEM Groups, agencies, and building professionals.
What are we doing?
The project will primarily focus on activities in the “readiness” phase of the emergency management cycle to ensure that we are fully prepared to respond to an event. We have formed a Technical Working Group of subject matter experts representing a range of stakeholders including professional bodies, crown entities, local government and central government to advise on new initiatives.
As part of this project, you can expect to see:
- a framework for how the National Coordination of building management in emergencies works as a system – including when changes are required by the Building Act 2004, guidance for other agencies, and operational instructions
- clarification of who does what in the building management in an emergency process
- a capability development model, including role descriptors, training pathways, registration and review guidance
- alternative solutions for administering the Rapid Building Assessors register and sharing contact information during response
- deployment and mobilisation planning.
We’re looking for feedback
Our team are looking to speak to CEs, CDEM Controllers, Cluster Group Meetings, professional bodies or staff involved in building emergency management. We’ll also be seeking feedback on many aspects of this work as we go – please get in touch if you would like to be added to our mailing list for the latest updates and consultations on this project.