Tsunami siren testing set for Sunday
This Sunday 7 April, Auckland Civil Defence will be running the first of their twice yearly checks of the tsunami sirens
on the north and west Auckland coasts.
“The public should not be alarmed and are not required to do anything,” says Clive Manley, Manager Civil Defence
Emergency Management.
“We run these tests to check operational performance and familiarise residents with the siren tones. However, with
recent events in Auckland it is probably a timely reminder to residents of all areas to think about how they would cope
in an emergency.
“Too often we leave being prepared to the last moment, always thinking ‘she’ll be right’. The fact is that being
prepared can be as simple as having a discussion with your family about where you would meet up if an emergency happened
and you were separated.”
The tsunami sirens are located in Rodney at Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha and Waiwera. In Waitakere, sirens are located
at Bethells Beach Te Henga, Piha North, Piha South, Karekare, Whatipu, Little Huia, Huia, Te Atatu South, Harbour View
Road, Te Atatu Peninsula North, Westpark Marina, Hobsonville Airbase (Harrier Point) and Herald Island.
The test sequence will be three sets of tones, each signalling a specific action. They will sound for one minute each
and there will be 15 seconds between each set. In an emergency, tones will sound for longer.
To hear the sirens and learn their patterns; find out about the north and west coast tsunami warning system; or for more
information on text alerts and the ‘Auckland Civil Defence’ Smartphone app go to www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
For everything you need to get ready for an emergency go to www.getthru.govt.nz.
Ends