Department of Labour emergency response training exercise - Taupo

23 June 2006

The Department of Labour is leading an emergency response training exercise in Taupo on Tuesday 27 June, with the Environmental Risk Management Authority, the Taupo fire service, police, ambulance, Philips Search and Rescue Trust helicopter, Civil Defence, councils and other agencies.

The aim of the exercise is to test and improve the responses of government agencies and emergency services to emergencies in the workplace, Department of Labour Acting Manager National Operations Keith Stewart said today.

The Department of Labour has a lead role in investigating and reporting on emergencies and accidents in the workplace.

When: Tuesday 27 June, 1pm to 3pm

Where: The training exercise will be carried out on the reserve area of Tongariro Domain formerly used as a motorcamp. The reserve area is in the northern end of the domain, off Redoubt Street.

What: At the training exercise, experts will simulate a ‘fire’ in a purpose-built replica ‘recycling storage facility’, between 1pm and 3pm. People in the area may notice coloured smoke and light flashes – similar to a display at an airshow. People may also hear fire appliance alarms going in short bursts for up to half an hour.

This is for effect and to make the emergency appear real for training purposes, Mr Stewart said.

There will be no disruption to traffic. Emergency service vehicles will already be in Tongariro Domain when the ‘emergency’ is simulated, and will travel only about 100 metres within the domain to ‘respond’ to the incident.

The Taupo fire service will set up a simulated emergency command centre at the scene, including a range of fire fighting, rescue and emergency response equipment.