New CD plan for Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 503, 14 September 1993, Page 6

New CD plan for Waiouru

By Jenelle Frewen Gaining community support was the main aim of a recent civil defence meeting held in Waiouru, following the release of a new draft plan for Civil Defence. Regional Civil Defence Officer Karen Ngati, called the meeting to present the draft to the community and to hear its thoughts on the draft before it is put into action. ' Mrs. Ngati also called for volunteers to play a part now that the Army has a scaled down role to play in the event of a civil defence emergency in Waiouru. Army representative, Capt Doug Vautier, explained that the Army in Waiouru is considered a national civil emergency resource. Despite this first priority Capt Vautier said

the Army would "do as much as it can to assist the community in a civil defence emergency." In line with the new plan a radio has been purchased to provide a communication link with the civil defence headquarters in Taumarunui. The radio will be kept at the Army Training Group Headquarters' operations room, to be moved to the RSA, headquarters of the civil defence, during an emergency. Geography is a problem in Waiouru in terms of radio communication so Mrs Ngati is also considering involving amateur radio groups to assist with communications. Some concern was expressed by people at the meeting that the civilian population not associated with the Army would not

be adequately looked after during a civil emergency and pointed to existing areas where they are not catered for. Capt Vautier tried to quell those fears by saying that the Army has a "moral obligation to the Waiouru community and district" and that "the Commander (Col Roger Mortlock) is very much interested in the wider community." Siren Consideration is also being given to the purchase of a siren to be situated outside the Army Camp area because the civilian community may not be able to hear the siren located at the Fire Station in Camp. Volunteers were also sought at the meeting to fulfil such roles as radio operation, catering, and

registration of victims during an emergency. The Waiouru Primary School has been designated as the assembly point for a civil defence emergency but Mrs Ngati

stressed that this atea would only be a transit area, not a place to sleep, and therefore many volunteers would be needed to carry out the registering and administration of the

people assembled. Even care and registration of pets needs to be considered, she said. It is hoped that a copy of the Civil Defence Plan will be sent to every house in the

Waiouru community. All volunteers and interested members of the community should contact Sue Rodger, Waiouru's local co-ordinator of civil defence.