John Hamilton
Director
Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

Ministry emergency cover for Christmas and New Year holiday period

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management will have duty officers working 24 hours a day throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Ministry's Director, John Hamilton, said that the duty officer roster operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including during all holidays.

The duty officers are in contact with national and international science agencies, the 16 regional civil defence emergency management (CDEM) groups, Police, New Zealand Fire Service, other emergency response agencies, welfare agencies, utility operators and government agencies.

If necessary, the National Crisis Management Centre beneath the Beehive in Wellington would be staffed within 30 minutes.

The Ministry's offices will be closed to the public on Monday 24 December 2007, reopening on Monday 7 January 2008.

The Ministry's media contact over the holidays will be its Public Information Manager, Vince Cholewa.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year

ENDS

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