While some Otago rural emergency services are struggling to find volunteers, about 40 of the Kurow area's 339 permanent population are involved.
Waitaki emergency services manager Chris Raine puts that down to enthusiasm generated from a public meeting after the first Christchurch earthquake in September 2010, the opportunity to be involved at various levels suiting an individual and taking training to the community.
The packed public meeting came after fears of how prepared the Kurow Civil Defence sector, stretching from Otekaieke to the Waitaki dam village, was if there was a major earthquake and a dam burst.
At that stage, the community had a very slim Civil Defence organisation.
That led to the development of the Waitaki district's first Civil Defence community response plan, effectively involving the whole community through direct contact and consultation. The plan was launched in March, last year.
From that first meeting, about 15 people signed up with Civil Defence as volunteers and to prepare the plan.
It became evident street and road wardens throughout the sector were needed, firstly to contact individual homes and properties, then to act as direct contact in any emergencies. Through publicity and direct contact, about 25 people came forward to fill that role.
One of the first steps in preparing the plan was to contact each property with a flier. That asked how many were usually at the address, best contact methods and any special requirements, such as asthma, diabetes or other issues. It asked if the property had other heating such as a coal range or log burner that could also be used for cooking.
What resources they might have available in an emergency (a tractor, generator, four-wheel drive vehicle or other) was also part of the survey.
The results have been incorporated into the plan, identifying individual special needs during an emergency which can be utilised by the street and road wardens. Mr Raine believed if a community had strong leadership and enthusiasm, people would want to become involved. It had to be made easy and fun, with a social element.
Three volunteers involved in Kurow Civil Defence - secretary Odelle Hawkins and committee members Michael Parish and Sue McPhilimey - agreed.
Involved in the preparation of the sector plan, they also fill roles in an emergency at the sector post.
Outside that has been fundraising, first to provide a generator and now to expand basic equipment ranging from LED emergency lighting to food stocks.
Alongside is ongoing training, including welfare training recently.
