6 Response 6.1 Overview Response describes the actions taken immediately before, during or directly after a civil defence emergency to save lives, protect property and support communities to recover. Recovery starts in response and is integrally linked to the actions undertaken during response. 6.1.1 Principles The underlying principles that guide the response effort is for each agency to concentrate on their own area of expertise but recognising there are significant inter-dependencies that must be coordinated to achieve an effective and efficient response. The principles on which emergency response is based are that: 1. Agencies should respond to an emergency by activating their own plans and coordinating with the lead agency. 2. Within the constraints that the emergency creates, each agency, operating within its jurisdiction, must cooperate with inter-dependent agencies to: Assess the impact of an emergency on their staff, assets and services; and Activate its own continuity and emergency arrangements; and Maintain or restore the services it provides; and Communicate with lead agencies, other responders and the public; and Align response activities with other agencies to avoid gaps and duplication. In addition, the emergency services are expected to: Assess the effect of an emergency on the community; and Co-ordinate the local efforts of their agency; and Communicate assessments and actions with the appropriate lead ag cy 3. When an emergency occurs the principles that guide the response phase have been established and prioritised. The order of priority is important as it will be used by the Incident Controller to focus the response effort and as the basis for major decision making. Preservation of life. Prevention of escalation of the emergency. Maintenance of law and order. Care of sick, injured, dependent and displaced persons. Provision of essential services (lifeline utilities, food, shelter, public information and media). Preservation of governance. Asset protection (structures, buildings, landscapes, heritage sites and wahi tapu). Marlborough Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, 2017-2022 Page 42