From the press room
Dunne: Wellington Civil Defence in chaos – 2009-04-27 08:58:06.02
UnitedFuture and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne says Wellington’s civil defence is in chaos, with the Wellington Emergency Management Office (WEMO) effectively inoperative.
Mr Dunne says a Wellington City Council restructure of WEMO has led to all the civil defence staff leaving, and real doubts emerging as to whether the WEMO model will even remain intact.
“Training of civil defence volunteers across Wellington’s suburbs has stopped, and courses scheduled for May have been cancelled.
“WEMO is effectively at a standstill,” Mr Dunne said.
He said WEMO is unable to give local volunteers any assurance that training programmes will be restored and is merely asking volunteers “for your patience through this transition over the next few months”.
“One has to hope the forces of nature are similarly patient!
“This situation is totally unacceptable, and the secrecy surrounding it is irresponsible.
“Coming on top of the recent removal of a fire crew from Johnsonville, it leaves the northern suburbs especially exposed in the event of a civil emergency, and local residents are owed an explanation from the council as to what is going on,” Mr Dunne said.
Ends
Mark Stewart | Press Secretary | Office of Hon Peter Dunne
DDI +64 4 817 6985 | Mb +64 21 243 6985 |
Bowen House | Parliament Buildings | Wellington 6160| New Zealand
www.beehive.govt.nz and unitedfuture.org.nz