Community support during disasters is set to change, with a new mobile hub in Nelson paving the way for how authorities help locals and fire crews through emergencies.
A mobile caravan facility has been gifted to Nelson's Fire and Emergency (FENZ) by the Rotary Club in response to the devastating Nelson floods last year.
The $120,000 purpose-built, 5.5m-long caravan is the first of a series of mobile community hubs being funded by nine Rotary clubs and several community funding agencies.
FENZ district manager Grant Hayward told Newshub that having a space for people to gather and seek up-to-date information is critical.
"The ability to make a cup of tea and sit around with neighbours when you're all devastated... it builds resilience in time of need," he said.
Seven of them will be placed in different parts of the top of the South Island and West Coast.
The vans will become part of the FENZ vehicle fleets and are designed to be completely self-sufficient.
They contain a basic kitchen, a built-in barbecue, and a private meeting room which can be used for support services to deal with traumatised victims.
They can also function as a base for councils and government agencies to offer information and support where needed.
The caravans can be hooked up to power, but are also self-sufficient with roof-top solar panels, portable generators, gas for cooking, plus fresh and grey-water tanks.
They also feature a pull-out veranda and a separate gazebo with tables and chairs for extra space to gather in all weather conditions.
Project manager, Whakatū Rotarian Trevor Marshall, has been working on the idea since the Nelson Floods.
"While emergency crews are dealing with the situation at hand, they can't be helping the people directly affected by it at the time," he told Newshub.
"These mobile community hub caravans can be quickly deployed by the FENZ community teams as a haven and a base for people to gather at, find guidance and support, and get up-to-date information."
Mayor of Nelson Nick Smith said his region has been hit by major natural disasters and fires over the past few years, and the mobile hubs will be invaluable to both the emergency crews and locals.
"It's something that's going to be put on the spot and give the support for professionals and volunteers, and victims of traumatic events going on," said Smith.
Events like the Pigeon Valley fire in 2019.
"You never know what's coming out of left field. We've had fires, storms and major rescue operations," he said.
Labour MP for Nelson Rachel Boyack hopes the mobile hubs will be expanded to the North Island too.
"This project needs to get rolled out around [the] South Island and the rest of the country," she said.
"We've seen in Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland floods how important these facilities are."
