Nor'West News: December 21, 2023

4 The
NEWS
North Canterbury News, December 21, 2023
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Pit stop ... Representatives from emergencyservices and Hanmer Springs Civil Defence
Emergency ResponseTeam volunteers enjoy abarbecue during the convoy traverse to
thank the volunteers for their service over the year.
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Emergency services convoy
traverses Leslie Hills
Aconvoy of emergency services in fourwheel
drive vehicles have traversed a
path across Leslie Hills to map out an
alternative evacuation route out of
Hanmer Springs in preparation for a
major emergency event.
Hurunui District Council’s Emergency
Management Officer Allan Grigg says 30
representatives from Fire and
Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Land
Search &Rescue (LandSAR), St John
Ambulance and the Hanmer Springs
Civil Defence Emergency Response
Team (CERT), and supporters, crossed
the Leslie Hills in a12­vehicle convoy
recently, starting out at 5.30pm and
arriving on the Leslie Hills Road about
two and ahalf hours later.
The convoy wasequipped with handheld
incident ground communication
radios, Mr Grigg says.
He said the exercise was incredibly
important in uniting the different
emergency services in ensuring there
were alternative routes, through private
land, out of Hanmer Springs to move
people out and supplies in during a
major emergency event.
While the Hanmer Springs bridge was
not expected to be impacted during a
major emergency event, Mr Grigg says
there is less certainty around the bridge
approaches.
‘‘People might be able to get over the
bridge, but might not be able to get to the
bridge because of rock fall from the
cliffs.’’
The convoy was led by the Hanmer
Springs CERT co­ordinator Graham
Frith and Mr Grigg.
For many of the emergency services,
some of whom are long­time residents of
the area, it was the first time they had
viewedthe terrain.
‘‘It gave us reassurance that we know
how to get people in and out of Hanmer in
an emergency if the bridge can’t be used
and that personnel from the different
agencies are familiarised with the
route.’’
Mr Grigg says the exercise also
provided an opportunity to thank the
volunteers of the Hanmer Springs CERT
for their service over theyear, with a
barbecue at amidpoint during the
crossing.
It was also agreat opportunity to
reinforce Civil Defence radio training.
The group liaised with local farmers, as
the route crosses private farmland, to
ensure everyone in the areawas aware of
the exercise.
‘‘Graham is still being approached by
people expressing appreciation for the
Plotting the course ... Hanmer Springs
CERT co­ordinator Graham Frith checks his
topographic map during the convoy
traverse.
Traversing the track ... The convoy winds
its way through the Leslie Hills.
exercise and how it brought afocus to
some of the measures you might have to
take during amajor emergency event,’’
Grigg said.
Hurunui has nine Civil Defence sectors
consisting of volunteers who meet for
Civil Defence preparedness and
response training across the district.