Civil defence deal signed with US

Aerial photograph of the flooding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Photo / FEMA

New Zealand civil defence officials will have access to American experts 24 hours a day after a deal between the two countries was signed in Washington today.

The Ministry of Civil Defence said the memorandum of cooperation signed with the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formalised the help each country could give each other in a civil defence disaster.

The director of civil defence emergency management, John Hamilton, said few if any countries in the world could respond on their own to a national disaster.

"Given our hazards and geographical isolation, it is important that we have strong relationships that help us manage risks and seek assistance in a major disaster.

"Having the relationships, knowing how to immediately contact each other and understanding how to work together are crucial to a speedy, well-directed response. The bigger the disaster, the more important the prior-arrangements and planning become," he said.

The arrangement would allow both countries to share information, expertise and experiences to help reduce risks and improve readiness, Mr Hamilton said.

Under the agreement both countries would provide emergency contact details, including 24/7 contact points, regularly exchange information, share lessons learned from disasters and exercises, go to conferences, workshops and exercises, and look at joint research in emergency management.

- NZPA