National Standard Operating Procedures - Jul 2022

Regional tsunami response
If you have received an unofficial warning from colleagues, friends, or members of
the public, verify the warning only if you can do so quickly. However, trust any
emergency management official’s tsunami warning over an unofficial warning. Official
tsunami warnings are disseminated by national media, local authorities and other key
response agencies. Your local council may also issue warnings through local media,
sirens and other local arrangements.
a) If practicable, inform other SLS staff/members by the quickest means possible
b) If on patrol, immediately close the patrol area
c) Inform beach users or members of the public of the warning and advise them to
evacuate and move to high ground, or as far inland as possible
d) All members and staff are to evacuate to high ground, to a predetermined
location/s if practicable
Note – Predetermined high ground locations should be made available in the Club
Tsunami Response Plan/CSOPs
e) Only consider collecting rescue assets if there is certainty that time permits. Store
these in a secure location on high ground
f) Listen to local radio stations for emergency management officials’ advice
g) Do not return to any hazardous areas or the shore until an official all-clear
message is given by emergency management officials.
Distant tsunami response
Follow distant tsunami response procedures if there has been an official warning.
a) Close the patrol area if a tsunami is expected during the patrol period
b) Inform beach users or members of the public of the warning, and advise them to
evacuate and move to high ground or as far inland as possible
c) Only consider collecting assets essential for post-tsunami rescue if there is
certainty that time permits. Store these in a secure location on high ground. Refer
to Club Tsunami Response Plan/CSOPs
Note – Predetermined high ground locations should be made available in the Club
Tsunami Response Plan/CSOPs
d) All members and staff are to evacuate to high ground, to a predetermined
location/s, if practicable
e) Do not return to any hazardous areas, or the shore until an official all-clear
message is given by Civil-Defence.
After a Tsunami
5.4 Continue to listen to the radio for emergency management officials’ notifications.
5.5 Do not return to evacuation zones until authorities have given the all-clear, and/or
the NZ Police or other relevant authority requests assistance of SLSNZ staff/
members.
Note – Only staff/members who are competent to operate in flood inundation
zones should assist the authorities, and only where it is safe and practicable to do
so.
NSOP
TSUNAMI PREPARATION AND RESPONSE NSOP_FINAL 99