23 November 2005

Exercise Phoenix – major earthquake scenario

A major civil defence emergency management exercise called Exercise Phoenix IV will take place on Friday, 25 November 2005 from 7am-7pm. The Exercise will involve a large number of local bodies and emergency services.

An earthquake is the highest risk facing our region and it’s predicted a Wellington fault event would affect all of central New Zealand. The scenario for the exercise will be based on a major shallow earthquake at 8.27 am on 23 November 2005 - measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. The setting is the commencement of the third day after the earthquake first hit.

Group Controller, Wayne Hastie sees Exercise Phoenix IV as an invaluable opportunity to test the effectiveness of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan. “Recent natural disasters around the world continue to remind us of the absolute importance of each and everyone of us being prepared. In an emergency it could be weeks or even months before power, phone, sewage and water are fully restored. During this time emergency managers will be expected to co-ordinate resources and processes to reduce impact on communities.”

The Exercise will also provide an opportunity to test the draft Public Information and Media Management Plan. The Plan establishes a Public Information Centre to ensure an integrated response to media liaison, public information, public enquiries and visitor reception.

ENDS

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