Six Monthly Test to mark end of Daylight Savings

From Auckland Council and Civil Defence

Listen out for the tsunami siren tests

Tsunami siren testing will take place at midday this Sunday (5 April) at North and West Auckland beaches. The sirens are tested twice a year in line with daylight savings, a handy reminder to check your civil defence survival items, household plan and getaway kits.

“The sirens are tested to check they are still operating effectively and to familiarise locals with the emergency siren tones,” says Head of Emergency Management Operations Angus McKay.

As well as the warning sirens, Civil Defence has just relaunched a new version of their app available for both iPhone and Androids. You can also register to receive text message notifications for emergencies.

“This is a test only,” says Angus. “There’s no need for anyone to do anything different and please don’t panic.”

The test sequence will be three sets of tones, each with a different meaning: alert, evacuate or all clear. They will sound for one minute each with 15 seconds in between.

“In a real emergency situation, the tones sound for longer, from between five and 15 minutes, depending on which message it is,” says Angus.

For more information on how to get ready or to sign up for emergency alerts visit aucklandcivildefence.org.nz.

Follow Civil Defence on Twitter @AucklandCDEM and Facebook “Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management”, or download the app.

Background:

Sirens are located in Rodney at Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha and Waiwera. In the west they are at Bethells Beach Te Henga, Piha North, Piha South, Karekare, Whatipu, Little Huia, Te Atatu South, Harbour View Road (Te Atatu Peninsula), Te Atatu Peninsula North, Westpark Marina, Harrier Point (Hobsonville Airbase) and Herald Island.

The siren patterns and the way they will sound in an emergency are:

Alert (dash – dash – dot – dot) sounds for 15 minutes and indicates threat of tsunami. Evacuate beaches, prepare for full evacuation and monitor the radio or television for more information.

Evacuate (dot – dot – dot) continuous bursts for 15 minutes indicates immediate evacuation to the nearest safe high ground and to avoid using personal transport unless essential.

All clear (continuous tone) sounds for 5 minutes indicate threat has passed. Return to premises if they have not been affected and follow directions of the emergency services if your area has been affected.

Civil Defence Public Alerting – Evacuation Siren System maps of Rodney

and Waitakere are available online.

For more information check out aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/civildefence or civildefence.govt.nz.

—-ends—-