Consistent Messages for CDEM

Information is one of the best tools we have for keeping people safe during and after emergencies, and for encouraging and enabling them to take action to prepare. To ensure that people are likely to take our messages on board, we need to communicate in ways that build trust, certainty and confidence.

When we consistently give the same messages, we reinforce the right advice, generate better public confidence, and promote faster, better co-ordinated and informed actions by the public.

Since it was first published in 2010, Working from the same Page: Consistent Messages for CDEM has been the key reference for the messages we need to get to our communities before, during and after emergencies.

This revision is the first full update of the document since 2010 and incorporates the latest science and best practice advice. The revision has been developed though a collaborative process and incorporates contributions and feedback from people and organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand’s emergency management system.

This revision centres people in our messaging – acknowledging not just the risks to people and property, but to mental health and wellbeing. It also uses accessible and non-technical language.

The structure has been completely reworked, centring around the 4 Rs of emergency management: risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery. It contains messages applicable to all hazards, as well as hazard-specific sections.

The revised Consistent Messages is an online document, to allow for more regular updates as our understanding of hazards, risk management and risk communication changes and to ensure currency of information. It will also allow us to more easily incorporate new content as it is developed.

I encourage everyone who has a role to play in sharing information before, during and after emergencies to use Consistent Messages.

Gary Knowles

Director Civil Defence Emergency Management