Civil defence problems

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 21, 15 October 1985, Page 15

Civil defence problems

At the recent meeting of the Civil Defence Committee the subject of preparedness on the mountain was discussed. Head ranger at the Ohakune Ranger Station, Lisle Irwin, told the meeting that as far as he knew there was no detailed plan set out for evacuation from the skifield atea should a disaster happen. "That area is the greatest concern we've got," said Bruce Berry. However, Mr Taylor said that the Civil Defence organisation was not responsible for the mountain. Andrew Cornwall pointed out that anything that happened on the mountain would have a downstream effect and resources would have to be found. Robin Foubister, Turoa Skifield's mountain manager, told the Bulletin that his staff were trained to evacuate people down the mountain road should bad weather conditions close the skifield. "We have the machinery and the resources to be able

to get those people down. But if there was a volcanic eruption and the road was wiped out, we don't have a plan. We would probably deal with it by people walking down on foot." He said that it was unrealistic to try to work out a plan foranevent which in known history had not occurred, but if volcanic activity or a lahar (mud flow) occurred, they would be advised immediately through the early warning system at Whakapapa. Mr Foubister pointed out that manpower on the mountain was available for only four months of each year and for the rest only a few staff and vehicles were available. "It's a cataclysmic event which may well occur during the eight months of summer," he said. ★ ★ ★ The Civil Defence organiser, Don Robinson, told the meeting that the organisation was still in need of a chief warden, as the position was now temporarily filled by a member of the rescue section.

★ ★ ★ John Martin, councillor on the Waimarino County Council, spoke to the meeting on the need to update the railways contact list of people who should be alerted when alarm bells at Waiouru Station indicated a rise in the water level of the Whangaehu River. Mr Martin, who is the riding member for the area, said people living or working near the river needed warning of a lahar and he suggested the Headquarters of Civil Defence (Ohakune Borough Council chambers) could contact these people and tell them how much time they had to elear livestock from the area. Mr Taylor said that it was a Civil Defence Concern but there were other agencies who had responsibility for letting those people know. Mr Workman suggested the matter be best handled by the police. After a lengthy discussion on the matter, Mr Bruce Berry, 2nd Deputy Controller, said that if it wasn't Civil Defence responsibility it shouldn't be put on their shoulders: "I think we could formulate a plan as a county and we'll perform this as a service to the county," he said. ★ ★ ★ Waimarino Civil Defence Contact List Controller: Mr W. R. Taylor, 96 Clyde Street, Ohakune. Home telephone 58-175, bus. 58-384. Deputy Controller: MrG. Workman, 6 Ameku Road, Raetihi. Home 54-293, bus. 54-676. 2nd Deputy Controller: Mr Bruce Berry, Valley Road, Raetihi. Telephone 54-638. Civil Defence Organiser: Mr Don Robinsop, Mangaeturoa North Road, RD4, Raetihi. Home 54-452, bus. 58-545. In an emergency, please contact one of above in this order.