Whanganui’s Emergency Management team to take part in Exercise Tangaroa
Published on 30 August 2016
30 August 2016
Whanganui’s Emergency Operations Centre team will participate in Exercise Tangaroa, a national exercise to test New Zealand’s preparations for, response to and recovery from a national tsunami impact.
The exercise is taking place over three days in August and September, with the first part of the exercise being held on August 31.
The Whanganui District Council Emergency Operations Centre will be activated for the day to practice procedures, Emergency Manager Matthew Smith said.
“We are treating this as a learning activity for our team, going through the revised tsunami evacuation zones, confirming communications with the Emergency Co-ordination Centre at Horizons Regional Council and identifying any gaps in our planning,” Mr Smith said.
“Whanganui has a lower risk of tsunami than many other coastal areas of New Zealand; however, any coastal area has some risk. There are a number of tsunami evacuation zones along our coast – the main areas being Castlecliff/Heads Road, Mowhanau and Airport/South Beach.
“The timing of Exercise Tangaroa has worked out very well for Whanganui Civil Defence and Emergency Management. From September through to December 2016 residents in the coastal areas of our region (Horowhenua, Manawatu, Rangitikei, Tararua and Whanganui Districts) will see tsunami evacuation zone information and evacuation route signs being erected. This Tsunami Sign Project has been funded by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management and will provide very visible reminders of what action to take if a tsunami is possible.”
The Emergency Operations Centre’s activities during Exercise Tangaroa will focus on:
- Using the national Emergency Management Information System (EMIS) throughout the exercise with a view to declaring it fully operational by year end.
- Identifying any improvements to be made to recently reviewed tsunami plans for the Whanganui District.
- Looking at alternate public warning systems instead of traditional ‘door knocking’ teams.