Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Otago civil defence staff head north

The Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group is responding to a request for assistance in the wake of yesterday’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake near Hanmer Springs.

Regional manager Chris Hawker is on his way to Canterbury to help with Civil Defence operations in the region and assess what further assistance Otago can offer for the response and recovery operations.

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s communications manager and Otago group public information manager Michele Poole was deployed to Marlborough yesterday afternoon.

The group may be asked for further support if needed. This may include personnel such as building assessors and engineers. Staff have already expressed a willingness to help if required.

Dunedin City Council infrastructure networks general manager Ruth Stokes will act as the Otago CDEM group controller in Mr Hawker’s absence if required.

ENDS

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