23 November 2005
Exercise Phoenix – major earthquake scenario
A major civil defence emergency management exercise called Exercise Phoenix IV will take place on Friday, 25 November
2005 from 7am-7pm. The Exercise will involve a large number of local bodies and emergency services.
An earthquake is the highest risk facing our region and it’s predicted a Wellington fault event would affect all of
central New Zealand. The scenario for the exercise will be based on a major shallow earthquake at 8.27 am on 23 November
2005 - measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. The setting is the commencement of the third day after the earthquake first
hit.
Group Controller, Wayne Hastie sees Exercise Phoenix IV as an invaluable opportunity to test the effectiveness of the
Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan. “Recent natural disasters around the world continue to remind us of the
absolute importance of each and everyone of us being prepared. In an emergency it could be weeks or even months before
power, phone, sewage and water are fully restored. During this time emergency managers will be expected to co-ordinate
resources and processes to reduce impact on communities.”
The Exercise will also provide an opportunity to test the draft Public Information and Media Management Plan. The Plan
establishes a Public Information Centre to ensure an integrated response to media liaison, public information, public
enquiries and visitor reception.
ENDS