Civil Defence Scheme Develops

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31114, 18 July 1966, Page 6

Civil Defence Scheme Develops

Th* operating committee of, seven local bodies’ clerks was • the key to effective organisa-! tion in civil defence, the! group controller of civil defence (Mr J. F. Moffat) said after a meeting of this committee. Planners had great responsibilities. he said, but they depended heavily on this operating committee. Mr Moffat said he was gratified that the Christchurch . operating committee bad done so much to put its house in order. Patterns of organisation and meetings were now I emerging. Some developments at last week’s meeting were:— A new electronic siren and loudspeaker unit was inspected. This was developed in New Zealand from an American design. The siren; had a range of three miles and, with the loudspeaker,, works on the power of an ordinary car battery’. MrMof-i ! fat said this would have enormous advantages in the event of disaster. The Canterbury Radio-Tele-1 phone Club has been co-opted to th* civil defence organisation. While the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps maintained communication be-, tween headquarters and subareas, the club would link headquarters with police, ambulance, and other emergency services. Consultations have been held with the National Radiation Laboratory on possible; dangers from th* French 1 atomic tests and arrangements' made for further talks on fallout protection. Funeral directors in the area have agreed to form aj committee to devise a plan for; large-scale burial of the dead j in case of major disaster. Sub-areas of the civil de-; fence organisation are beginning to hold periodic meet-1

,ings to check their lists, ensure that identification and ; other materials are ready, and ito study literature and films on disaster procedures.