More mobile sirens ready in case of emergency in Hastings coastal areas
Monday 30 January 2012, 1:17PM
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Hastings District Council now has three mobile Public Alert Systems for use in the event of a Civil Defence emergency, with more being delivered in the next few weeks.
The units have been developed in Hastings for use in coastal areas during an emergency. They are easily attached to the roof of any vehicle and broadcast the Civil Defence sting along with a voice message which alerts residents to the emergency and gives them details of what action they should take.
The new warning system has been developed after residents from the coastal communities raised concerns over how they would be alerted in case of an emergency. A number of other options, including fixed sirens were explored but the mobile sirens best met the needs of the coastal communities.
The new system is designed for use in high density urban areas and has a voice range of 200 meters in still conditions while the siren can be heard up to 500 metres from the vehicle.
Leader of the Cape Coast Civil Defence Group Stu Hastings says “Extensive testing of the new mobile units has shown they will provide a loud and easily understood message for residents during an emergency. Fixed sirens are limited in their range and effect but the new units can be deployed in the right place at the right time and the voice message can be altered to suit the emergency.”
Hastings Civil Defence now has three of the units ready for use at a moment’s notice while a further four will be available in the next few weeks.
The Public Alert System will be given a further test on Sunday April 1st when New Zealand changes away from daylight saving. The units will broadcast a test message in the coastal areas of Whirinaki, Clive, Haumoana, Te Awanga, Clifton and Waimarama. Residents of those areas will be asked to report on whether they heard the message and if it was easily understood.
Some of the messages which could be broadcast by the mobile systems in the event of an emergency can be heard at http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/stings