Our North Otago Group were recently invited to participate in an Otago Regional CDEM exercise, providing an opportunity to work alongside other emergency response professionals.
The scenario in place was a major weather event affecting most territorial areas from South to North Otago, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes and Coastal Otago/Dunedin.
Regional EOC’s (Emergency Operation Centre) and an ECC (Emergency Coordination Centre) in Dunedin operated across the CDEM D4H platform. The scene was set in the days prior with weather tracking, reports and warnings, providing an opportunity for pre-planning and comms planning, and ultimately the standing up of multiple EOC’s and a Dunedin-based ECC.
There were 2 shifts of around 4 hours each that commenced following CIMS (Coordinated Information Management System) protocols. The North Otago Group took the opportunity to network and have the comms truck on display with gear including Winlink and Starlink.
They had members rotating between the comms truck and the EOC, and managed a demonstration talking to outlying communities in North Otago via radio and down to the ECC in Dunedin using CD frequencies.
They also sent Winlink messages from the EOC to the truck, and the truck to other locations, showing some real depth in the type and quality of the comms AREC have available.
The exercise was a great learning opportunity, and an enjoyable way to connect with others in the emergency response sector.
If you are located in North Otago and would like to volunteer with AREC please email enquiries@arec.nz or submit an application to join https://arec.nz/join-us/
