Siren test a success

Napier’s 16 sirens were activated today at 9.26am as part of the New Zealand ShakeOut, the country’s first national earthquake drill.

Napier Civil Defence Manager, Angela Reade, is pleased to report that all but one siren worked for the full five-minute cycle.

“The siren based in Maraenui did not activate so contractors are working on this immediately,” Angela says. “This is why we test the sirens – to detect any issues before an actual emergency.”

Civil Defence and Emergency Services (including Police and Fire) had a total of 2 calls as of 10am on Wednesday, which is a record low.

“Out of a population of approximately 60,000 this is excellent. We are also very impressed to see many businesses and schools using the siren test to check their own emergency plans.”

Angela says while the activation went exceptionally well, she does realise that not everyone would have heard the sirens due to a number of reasons, and that is why it is important for people to fill out the surveys.

“If people didn’t hear the sirens we can look at other ways of warning the public.”

You have until 12-noon Friday, October 12, 2012 to fill out the survey, which can be cut out from the Napier Mail newspaper or fill it out online at the Napier City Council website www.napier.govt.nz (keyword siren).

Once you complete and send in your survey, there are some great prizes up for grabs, including an emergency survival kit.

Angela would like to thank all those people involved in the testing of the sirens, especially the New Zealand Fire Service, Police, volunteers and local businesses that helped spread the word.