Waimarino civil defence meeting

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 39, 11 March 1986, Page 6

Waimarino civil defence meeting

Newly purchased equipment to be used by the Waimarino civil defence rescue team was on show at the Waimarino civil defence committee meeting recently. Don Robinson, CD organiser for the Waimarino, showed the meeting one of three $280 packs which have been bought, designed to be used for emergency rescues. Similar packs are used by the NZ Forest Service, the Army and ambulance services, said Mr Robinson. Other equipment will

arrive shortly, including three radio telephones and re-chargers, and three firstaid packs. Mr Robinson told the meeting of the need for two more radios to facilitate communication during an emergency. Deputy controller Bruce Berry reminded the meeting that the Lands and Survey Department had offered the use of their radios in an emergency. However, Mr Robinson said Lands and Survey would need them for their own use, and senior ranger at Tongariro National Park,

Lisle Irwin, said their radios were not on the same frequency as Civil Defence. Conference Mr Robinson asked the permission of the committee to attend a civil defence officer's conference in the South Island in mid-March. "I'd be delighted if you'd attend — I'd like to go myself," said Waimarino civil defence controller, Bill Taylor. The aims of the conference, to be held from 16 to 21 March, are awareness of possible causes of disaster, viewing of operational headquarters used by the CD organisations and meeting key people from CD headquarters. Regional Organiser A new regional CD organiser, Tony Cowan, previously the CD assistant commissioner from the East Coast region, begins work soon. Mr Cowan takes over from George Kereama. An invitation will be extended to Mr Cowan to attend the next Waimarino CD meeting. Plan A new CD plan for the Waimarino has to be finalised by September. The current plan is complicated and it is hoped to condense it to a more simplified form. Budget Mr Robinson is to prepare the 1986 budget for the next meeting. Bruce Berry, chairman of the Waimarino County, said

the county contribution to civil defence will be closely examined this year. "We're looking at every item of expenditure and this is one area which could come under scrutiny," he said. Ohakune mayor Bill Taylor said the thought that none of the thrfee authorities wanted their contributions to civil defence to be any larger than at present. Each council currently contributes $2200 to CD each year. Helicopter A member of the Waimarino Rescue Trust is to be invited to the next CD meeting. Mr Berry said he hoped the rescue helicopter would be available for CD emergencies. Wardens Mr Robinson reported there was not a sufficient number of wardens for the area. In a CD emergency, wardens have the responsibility of informing headquarters of the extent of damage in their area and reporting to the senior warden. Until sufficient numbers of wardens could be recruited, Mr Robinson asked if borough councillors from Raetihi and Ohakune would fill the positions. County councillors already have a CD responsibility within their ridings. Mayor Taylor suggested Mr Robinson attend the next borough council meeting to explain the role of a warden to councillors.