Civil Defence again strongly criticised

Press, 21 December 1976, Page 6

Civil Defence again strongly criticised

PA Wellington The Civil Defence Organisation during the Wellington floods emergency was strongly criticised last night by ambulance and medical leaders.

The Wellington Free Ambulance commander (Major G. Stanley) said his organisation had had no contact with the Civil Defence throughout the dav.

“We’ve had to seek all the information we’ve got,” he said. “Nobody even told us which roads were open.

“Surely an organisation such as ours could expect to be told what was happening, and where we could get vehicles through,” he said.

The Medical Association chairman (Dr W. J. Treadwell) was also strongly critical of Civil Defence. He

spent most of the day helping ambulance staff. He was appalled by the manner in which Civil Defence had acted in regard to the ambulance service. “I remember being in tliis sort of situation on Wahine day and I just wonder if the situation has improved.” he said. Dr Treadwell said he. was full of admiration for the way ambulance staff had worked under the difficult situation.

Major Stanley said he would have liked to see an information service organised by Civil Defence. Its job would have been to give up-to-date information on the situation to emergency services.

The Wellington Civil Defence controller (Mr P. A. McCutcheon) said he was disappointed to hear the comments. “We think we’ve

coped pretty well today,” he said. Civil Defence had been in contact with the Fire Service and numerous welfare organisations attempting to help people. Mr McCutcheon said he did not think it unreasonable for the ambulance service to seek its own information.

His organisation had been restricted in its activities because many of the staff had been unable to reach the Wellington Town Hall. They had been stranded in various parts of Wellington and had assisted in those areas, Mr McCutcheon said. Ambulance officers treated or transported more than 200 people during the emergency.

Most were evacuees from either Lower Hutt homes or business premises and cars in the Petone and Ngaio areas.