New Zealand Fire Service MEDIA RELEASE

1 March 2011

New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS) and New Zealand and international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) taskforce members together with other emergency service workers and contractors today joined all New Zealanders in observing the national two minutes silence.

New Zealand and international USAR representatives, New Zealand Fire Service representatives, New Zealand and Australian Police, St John’s Ambulance personnel, Civil Defence, private contractors supporting the USAR teams, and other people working within the cordon gathered in front of Christchurch Cathedral.

Before the two minutes silence began, New Zealand USAR Taskforce Two leader Paul Burns said a few words to honour the victims and thank all those who have assisted in the aftermath of the quake.

The international teams are from Australia (Queensland and New South Wales), China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, UK and USA. Australian police were also present.

The head of the Police Family Liaison Team placed flowers provided by the families of victims in front of the Cathedral.

A whistle was blown at exactly 12.51 pm to recognise the time the quake occurred. Those present paused and reflected for the two minutes silence.

At the same time, more than 100 New Zealand firefighters, joined by more than 20 USAR USA team members observed the two minutes silence at the Christchurch 9/11 Memorial Park, adjacent to the central fire station.

USAR crews and firefighters at sites all around the city also paused and observed the two minutes silence.

The search and assessment of buildings continues.

ENDS

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