Civil Defence and radio broadcasters agree to emergency plan

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) has signed an agreement with the country's major radio broadcasters to supply timely, authoritative messages in an emergency.

"Specifically, the agreement details the process by which regional civil defence authorities and the Ministry notify radio broadcasters of the need for an emergency announcement, and the duties of the broadcaster in getting that message to air," said MCDEM Acting Director Bruce Ferguson.

"We've been telling people to 'listen to your radio' in an emergency for a long time now, but today's agreement is the first time that the Civil Defence sector and broadcasters have actually spelled out how to get important messages to air as quickly as possible."

Stations Classic Hits, More FM, Newstalk ZB, Radio Live, Rhema and Mai Media networks, National Radio and Radio New Zealand International are included in the agreement.

It also covers Radio Chinese, Chinese Voice Broadcasting, Radio Bay of Plenty, Marlborough Media and Port FM, with the potential for other
stations to be added.

- NZHERALD

Reader comment: When Auckland recently had a major power outage (June 13th) we were unable to listen to any news broadcasts as all power was down. Very few work places or homes have battery operated radios anymore. However, almost everyone has a cell phone. Therefore, would it not be more important to contact all cell phone users in the event of a major disaster as well?
- - - posted 10.09pm August 3, 2006 by Chris Hayden