Grey Power Mercury Bay is wasting no time pursuing plans to better alert locals (particularly vulnerable seniors), to impending hazards or emergency situations.
The association is applying for a $250,000-$300,000 grant from the NEMA Resilience Fund for community associations to cover the cost of two all-hazard sirens for Whitianga and Wharekaho.
Mercury Bay president, Linda Cholmondeley Smith says the association is also working with a local congregation to designate its church as an emergency gathering place for seniors.
“This is particularly relevant in light of the weather and climate disasters which have occurred over summer some with tragic results,” Linda says.
“Seniors are often slower in their movements and cannot act as fast as younger people in an emergency. Furthermore, they may not have the means to travel quickly to a safe place and with the Coromandel area prone to slips and road closures they may find themselves in a very difficult situation.”
The proposal to use the church as an emergency meeting area for seniors was well received at a meeting organised by Grey Power Mercury Bay. Church leaders, Thames-Coromandel District Council emergency managers, Civil Defence, the mayor/deputy mayor, councillors and the Mercury Bay Community Board chair participated. Subsequently, the church was opened up during a recent emergency.
“This is an ongoing effort,” Linda says. “It is something Coromandel associations should collectively advocate to TCDC on behalf of all our region’s Grey Power associations.”
