Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111
Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Firefighters respond to over 800 calls for assistance

Firefighters respond to over 800 calls for assistance

16 February 2026

Firefighters are continuing to respond to calls for assistance from people affected by the storm moving across the country.

Between 6pm last night and 8am today, Fire and Emergency New Zealand received 852 emergency 111 calls in the North Island. Most of them (804) related to storm damage, including fallen trees and powerlines, lifting roofs and property damage.

Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper said more than half of the calls came from people in the Wellington Region as the storm moved south, but every part of the North Island except Northland reported storm damage or flooding. A summary of the calls is included below.

"We had a very busy night, and our firefighters are continuing to respond to calls. We appreciate the work they are doing to support their communities and we urge people to follow the advice from civil defence to prepare and keep themselves safe, wherever they may be."

When life or safety is at threatened, people should call 111 immediately. Staying off the roads, avoiding floodwater and watching for flying debris are simple actions people should take to keep themselves safe.

If people are without power and relying on alternative means of cooking, heating and lighting, they should be mindful of fire safety:

- Switch off all appliances including stoves and heaters that were in use when the power went off.

- Torches are preferable to candles. If candles are your only alternative, put them upright in a secure holder, like a jar, well away from curtains or anything flammable

- Do not use outdoor heaters or cooking equipment indoors

111 calls relating to the weather received between 6pm Sunday and 8am Monday:

Urgent Response (threat to life or serious damage) - total 97

Auckland/Waitemata/ Counties-Manukau - 2

Waikato - 5

Bay of Plenty - 2

Tairawhiti / Hawkes Bay - 3

Taranaki / Manawatu-Whanganui - 10

Wellington - 75

Less Serious property damage - total 300

Auckland/Waitemata/ Counties-Manukau - 8

Waikato - 13

Bay of Plenty - 7

Tairawhiti / Hawkes Bay - 9

Taranaki / Manawatu-Whanganui - 49

Wellington - 214

Minor Impacts - total 407

Auckland/Waitemata/ Counties-Manukau - 6

Waikato - 16

Bay of Plenty - 17

Tairawhiti / Hawkes Bay - 12

Taranaki / Manawatu-Whanganui - 90

Wellington - 266

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