New Emergency Alert Sign to Be Trialed On Cape Coast

Hastings Civil Defence is to trial a new public alerting sign in the Cape Coast area of Te Awanga, Haumoana and Clifton.

The sign has been erected for a six week trial period on Beach Road near the intersection of East Road and Clifton Road. It will be opened and closed at random times, both day and night, and anyone who passes the sign is being asked to complete a questionnaire on the effectiveness of the sign and the message that is displayed.

Emergency Management Team Leader Trevor Mitchell says “The sign will complement the other forms of public alerting that we already have in place for residents on the Cape Coast. They include the Stinger mobile alerting system (broadcasts the civil defence sting and a voice message), phone trees and point phone contacts.”

Mr Mitchell says “If the feedback on the sign is positive, we will install permanent signs at the two key entry points to the Cape Coast community which are also the cordon points we use during an emergency situation. The permanent signs would be placed on the Haumoana side of the Tukituki River near Blackbridge and at the intersection of Raymond Road and Tukituki Road.”

“The signs will provide a visual warning in many emergency situations but there are some we are unable to warn for, including an earthquake, local source tsunami, fire or a hazardous substance spill.”

The permanent signs will be closed when there is no emergency with just the CD logo visible. During an emergency situation the sign will be opened to reveal a list of Radio Stations which will broadcast Civil Defence messages, and a message on what has caused the emergency ie flooding or a far source tsunami. There will be another slide placed in the sign if an evacuation of the area is necessary while a further slide will give details of the website to go to for emergency information.

The sign was erected on Tuesday June 4th 2013 and the trial finishes on July 12th. A flyer which includes a questionnaire on the effectiveness of the sign will be distributed around the Cape Coast. The survey can also be completed online at www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/warning

ENDS

© Scoop Media