New Zealand Fire Service and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
Media update from Assistant National Commander Paul Baxter
7pm Saturday 5 March 2011

USAR
• Recovery phase continuing

• Cathedral – Search and rescue operations have now finished on this site. The inside of the Spire was cleared overnight and USAR teams have today been re-checking other parts of the interior of the building and the immediate surrounding area outside. They have now completed this task and have not found any victims. The Cathedral is still unstable and remains cordoned off.

• CTV – Chinese, Japanese and New Zealand teams are close to completing their work here and expect to be finished in approximately the next 24 hours.

• Forsyth Barr – 24 hour operation continues, clearing the collapsed stairwell. This is heavy and hard work but the United States USAR teams have made good progress today. Work will continue through the night.

• Other USAR teams are continuing to assist with deconstruction work on other buildings within the CBD to make them as safe as possible.

A message of thanks

Assistant National Commander Paul Baxter this afternoon acknowledged the efforts of all the many people from a wide range of emergency services and other organisations who have supported the USAR crews in their search and rescue work.

“As we near the end of our large scale operations on significant sites, I want to thank all those who have worked with us – our sister services, the police, ambulance, defence, international and New Zealand USAR specialists, who have all worked so well together and continue to do so,” Mr Baxter said.

“Work on these sites would not have been possible without the assistance of many supporting agencies, organisations and private contractors. This includes heavy machinery operators, suppliers of materials crucial to the rescue, catering people, security, electricity suppliers and telecommunications providers.

“I also want to thank the people of Christchurch and New Zealand who have helped and supported us in so many ways. To all of you, a very sincere thank you.”

Fire

• Fire fighters have been in the suburbs of Addington, Papanui and Dallington, giving fire safety advice on the reconnection of electricity and gas, checking chimneys and answering any questions.

• Total fire ban in place.

• As people start coming back into the Green Zones within the cordon tomorrow, it is important that they take note of fire safety messages:

• Ensure all home appliances and power outlets are turned off.

• Ensure all electrical chords and appliances are unplugged from the wall socket.

• Inspect electrical appliances for any visual damage and if damage is found do not use when electricity is restored.

• The main switch will isolate the entire electrical installation and should be used where extensive damage or exposed wiring is present. However, the main switch should never be relied upon for complete safety – always treat exposed wires with care. Remember turning off at the main switch does not mean that the wires feeding power to the house will be safe.

• Take extra care wherever water is present.

• If circuit breakers trip or fuses blow, this is a warning that something is wrong and qualified advice should be obtained and the circuit left off.

• If you received ‘tingles’ when touching electrical appliances or water taps, turn off the main switch immediately and seek assistance from a qualified person.

• Remember to be watchful of children near electrical equipment.

• Do not attempt to make temporary repairs to damaged or faulty electrical equipment.

ends

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