EMERGENCY PLAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 157, 4 July 1940, Page 12

EMERGENCY PLAN.

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT.

REHEARSAL OX SATURDAY.

In order to test the effectiveness of a scheme which has been prepared, the transport section of the Auckland Emergency Precautions Organisation will hold a rehearsal in the metropolitan area on Saturday afternoon, when motor.'syehiclee will be assembled at selected depots and dispatched on certain duties. The work of the transport section is to evacuate civilians from danger zones, transport goods and materials, and co-operate with district wardens to provide transport needed by those officers. The scheme of operation includes the use of all types of private and .commercial motors, trams and railways, but for the rehearsal only certain types of commercial vehicles will be employed. The messenger section of' the communications centre, composed of scouts and members of the Boys' Brigade, will carry messages.

Within the next few days a booklet describing the emergency precautions will be circulated to householders by letter carriers from the Chief Posit Office. The object of the booklet is to describe the organisation, the duties allotted to various sub-divisions, and to instruct householders in precautionary measures in case of emergency, such as severe earthquake or air raids. Details are yiven of the nine technical -rroup committee* set up, and the extent of the operations of each group committee. The headquarters of each group committee is also notified. The system of district wardens, who are the mayors or chairmen of the respective local authorities, is explained, and it is stated that the wardens are compiling registers of available men, in proups of ten, with a leader in charge of each, and also of private motor cars and drivers organised in the same way. The work of the women's auxiliary is also explained.

Instruction is given to householders in connection with first aid and dealing with fires. A warning is given that in case of emergency telephones should not be used unnecessarily, and persons able to render service, and not already enrolled in the technical groups, are asked to enrol at the nearest local authority's office.