We’re getting ready. Are you?
On 7 November council staff took part in a Civil Defence training exercise where staff worked through how we all might respond to a significant earthquake on the Alpine Fault. ‘Exercise Pandora’ also involved the rest of the Canterbury Civil Defence groups, our partner agencies and other significant stakeholders, both locally and regionally.
The Mackenzie Emergency Operations Centre was set up (activated) at the community hall in Lake Tekapo, and over 45 people participated with representatives from Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua, St John, FENZ, NZ Police and Aoraki Mt Cook Department of Conservation.
The scenario being worked on imagined it was day 3 after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake, and everyone worked through some of the practical issues we can expect to be facing, people trapped, roads cut off, issues with wastewater treatment and more.
It was also a good reminder that we all need to be prepared. Emergencies can happen any time. Do you have a Family Plan? How are your supplies of emergency food, water, medicines, pet food etc. Do you have a radio that won’t need electricity? How will you contact family?
There is a lot of information out there about how to prepare, but a good place to start is the government’s Get Ready website.