Civil defence exercise to test our capability and capacity

Next month a large number of people will take part in what is being called Exercise Phenox — a multi-response service training exercise designed to test the response agencies and organisations on the Chatham Islands.

The exercise will test the capability and capacity of those involved, including the Emergency Coordination Centre.

This exercise is due to take place on 15 March at the airport and Emergency Coordination Centre. This exercise is a Tier 3 with the lead agencies being Fire and Police. It will run from 10am to 2pm.

Those involved include Fire and Emergency NZ, Police, the hospital, Civil Defence Emergency Management, National Emergency Management Agency, Māori Wardens, Area Coordinators, the Emergency Management Office and Coordination Centre, the airport company, Air Chathams and Hokotehi Moriori Trust/Kopinga Marae.

Each group will be getting involved throughout the day to make sure they are ready for a real-life emergency.

If there is a real event during the exercise then the exercise will be halted or if the weather conditions aren't favourable, this will also call a halt.