Listen out for the tsunami siren tests

Auckland Council Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) will be running their tsunami siren testing at 12pm on Sunday 27 September 2015.

These biannual checks are run on the north and west Auckland coasts and are timed to coincide with daylight savings.

“The public should not be alarmed, and are not required to do anything,” says Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director John Dragicevich.

“We run these tests to check operational performance and familiarise residents with the siren tones. The sirens are just one of a number of technology-based public warning systems that Auckland Civil Defence has in place for the entire region to better prepare for natural disasters,” says Mr Dragicevich.

“This test is also a handy reminder to check your civil defence survival items, household plan and getaway kits.”

The test sequence will be three sets of tones, each with a different meaning: alert, evacuate or all clear. They will sound for one minute each with 15 seconds in between.

“In a real emergency situation, the tones sound for longer, from between five and 15 minutes, depending on which message it is,” says Mr Dragicevich.

For more information on how to get ready or to sign up for emergency alerts visitaucklandcivildefence.org.nz. To listen to what a tsunami warning siren sounds like, go to the Auckland Council website.

Follow Civil Defence on Twitter @AucklandCDEM and Facebook “Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management”, or download the app.

Auckland CDEM is also asking Aucklanders to provide input into the city's new emergency plan. The plan will outline how hazards in Auckland are planned for and managed. Go to shapeauckland.co.nzbefore October 16 to make a submission.

While you’re online don’t forget to register for NZ ShakeOut so you can participate in the international ‘drop, cover and hold’ exercise at 9:15am on 15 October. Visit www.shakeout.govt.nz to register.

ENDS

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