Mini Volcano Offered To A Good Home

Odd item on offer at Civil Defence

March 18, 2005

For sale: One three-metre square volcano - belches smoke, bellows out rumbling noises and flashes - free to a good home.

North Shore Civil Defence needs to move its model volcano to make room for changes at its headquarters on East Coast Rd, Mairangi Bay.

But, Civil Defence manager, David Keay, says it is not a toy.

"The display has always been a hit with children who tour our facility, where we teach them some simple steps so that they can cope in the event of a volcanic eruption, so maybe a school would like it," he says.

The space the volcano currently takes up in the Civil Defence HQ is needed for a communications centre, so important messages and instructions can be sent out to the community in times of emergency.

"We're also revamping the control room, and looking at other measures to make sure we're as well equipped as we possibly can be to cope in the event of any kind of disaster striking," says Mr Keay.

"Most people have no idea that there's a one-in-20 chance that a volcanic eruption will occur in Auckland in the next 50 years. It's important for everyone to know what to do before they have to do it, so I encourage people of all ages to take part in the training we offer."

Civil Defence relies heavily on volunteers - more than 700 of whom are specially trained every year to help prepare for disasters and to support the community during an emergency.

If anyone is interested in the volcano, or would like to find out more about North Shore Civil Defence, please phone 478 9696, or visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz.

ENDS

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