Nationwide tsunami seminars begin

The first of a series of nationwide seminars focusing on tsunami preparedness was held in Auckland, June 24. Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Director, John Hamilton, said the seminars are aimed at the country’s 16 regional civil defence emergency management (CDEM) groups, which are made up of the local authorities, welfare agencies, emergency services, utility companies (e.g. power, gas, water etc).

The seminars also target others involved in preparing for and responding to emergencies as well as local authority planners, consultants and advisers involved in long term community planning and consent processes.

“Our aim is to inform the groups and council planners of all the work that is being done nationally and around the country and support them with their regional and local planning,” Mr Hamilton said.

More than 70 people attended the Auckland seminar which featured presentations from the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, GNS Science and local authorities.

Photo: Ministry Director, John Hamilton opens the first tsunami seminar in Auckland.

The seminar programme includes:

• overview of the tsunami risk management programme
• introduction to the just released national tsunami advisory and warning plan
• information from GNS Science about tsunami research and assessment
• public alerting, evacuation zones and signage
• mass evacuation planning guidelines
• good examples and practice already used in New Zealand
• support available from the Ministry and other national agencies.