Media release

Tsunami phone alert system to roll onto Shore

May 23, 2007

An opt-in tsunami alert system designed to effectively warn 15,000 homes and businesses in a matter of seconds, has been approved by North Shore City Council and Civil Defence in preparation for the threat of a tsunami.

Residents living in coastal areas identified as warning zones can expect a letter in the post next week, inviting their participation in the city’s new high tech telephone alert system, one of the first of its kind in New Zealand and a safeguard for North Shore City.

North Shore Civil Defence manager David Keay is looking forward to the implementation of an alert system, initially for the city’s most at-risk areas.

“We’re one of the first in this country to implement a telephone-based tsunami alert system, an invaluable tool for our unprotected coastline and position on the volcanic ‘Ring of Fire’. We see this system as the best fit for our landscape and are confident that all residents in high risk zones will appreciate the importance of an alert system that could save lives,” he says.

More than 15,000 homes and businesses in the most at-risk areas will be invited to opt in to the alert system either by filling in their contact details online with an individual code, or returning the slip provided on the letter.

North Shore City’s Actionline call centre manager Ann Hollway says the warning system technology can handle a large volume of calls in the event of a tsunami warning.

“We tested the system last year on a small scale and it was highly efficient. We will soon be ready to test it on a larger scale and we urge all households requested to opt in by June. Because no one knows when a tsunami may strike, our best defence is to be prepared and that involves testing the system with as many participants as possible,” she says.

When a tsunami is declared by National Civil Defence, the system is activated to automatically send telephone calls to those listed on the alert database.

The automated voice message will announce a Civil Defence tsunami alert and the listener will be directed to immediately tune into Newstalk ZB Auckland (89.4 FM/ 1080 AM), or RNZ National (101. 4 FM/ 756 AM), for emergency instructions.  

The alert message will also advise users to avoid using telephone networks to prevent overloading.

Currently no national warning system has been recommended or is operated by the Ministry of Civil Defence.

Details provided to the council when opting in to the warning system will be used for Civil Defence purposes only.

For more information on civil defence and what to do in the event of a tsunami warning please visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz, keyword ‘civil defence’ or www.getthru.govt.nz. To learn more about emergency survival kits, visit www.survive-it.co.nz.

(ends)

© Scoop Media