This review deals with the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM)Response to the 22 February 2011 Canterbury earthquake, from the date of the earthquake until 30 April 2011. On that date the response phase officially ended and recovery process was taken over by the Canterbury EarthquakeRecovery Authority (CERA). The purpose of the review is: ? from an emergency management perspectiveidentify the practicesthatshould bereinforced and identify the processes and policiesthat warrant improvements.
The Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 caused tragic deaths and injuries, severe damage to tens ofthousands of homes and the devastation of the city central business district (CBD).It was an unprecedented challenge for civil defence emergency management in New Zealand. The quiet, strong leadership shown by John Hamilton as National Controller, together with political leadership by Hon Gerry Brownlee and Mayor Bob Parker, held the organisation and indeed the city together. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Defence, Health Services and Lifelines maintained control,rescued the injured and kept the public safe. Together with Council staff they brought orderfrom the chaos of the day. The success of the emergency response however, was also due to the resilience of the Christchurch community and work by community organisations. Most ofthe rescues were by people close by, and help forthose in need was mostly provided by neighbours, community organisations including marae and churches, or by the recently emergent voluntary organisations like the Farmy Army and the Student Army. Overall the Response to this extremely challenging situation can justifiably be regarded as having been well managed and effective.
