Council Participates in Largest Ever Civil Defence Exercise

Franklin District Council will operate from a simulated Emergency Operations Centre during the two main days of Exercise Ruaumoko on 13 and 14 March. Key Civil Defence, Operations and Services and Public Information staff will discuss and take hypothetical actions in response to the exercise scenario.


“Exercise Ruaumoko culminates in two main exercise days on March 13 and 14 and is based on a volcanic eruption in the Auckland Volcanic Field. Although we are taking note of everything happening in the exercise, on Thursday and Friday we will be fully involved as it is a great opportunity for us to test how we would respond,” says Franklin District Civil Defence Controller, Ian Alexander.


Council is expecting to find a few things to work on but says that is the point – to work through those issues now so they are resolved before a real emergency.


Exercise Ruaumoko will become the biggest Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) exercise ever held in New Zealand. Franklin is not part of the Auckland Volcanic Field, however, as people are expected to evacuate south the District could be dealing with many issues including congested roads or an influx of people. Franklin residents would also need to know how to help and find out information on families and friends within Auckland.


While the Council proactively prepares for a major Civil Defence emergency within the Auckland Region they want residents to think about how prepared they are.


“Do you have enough food and water to live for three days before outside help could come? Do you know where all your important documents are if you had to evacuate very quickly? Do you have a family plan? Emergencies do happen, it is up to everyone to ensure they are ready when it does,” says Ian.