Calling all C.D. H.Q. . . .

Press, 24 September 1983, Page 31

Calling all C.D. H.Q. . . .

Mr Bill Thompson, chairman of the Canterbury United Council’s Civil Defence committee, makes the first formal call over the new civil defence radio network at the Civil Defence headquarters in Christ-

church. The call was made at a special ceremony to seven of the civil defence areas in the Canterbury region. Civil Defence officers in Cheviot, Culverden, Amberley, Rangiora, Oxford, Darfield, and Leeston replied that they had heard Mr Thompson’s words “loud and clear.” The call was also received by the amateur

radio emergency vehicle which can be used as a mobile Civil Defence base. The Banks Peninsula Civil Defence headquarters at Little River is the only area not part of the radio network.

Tests are being made to establish the best way to by-pass the peninsula’s topographical problems, and it is hoped that a way to bring the peninsula into the network will be found soon. The radio communications system works through a repeater on Mount Grey, which was installed in July. Mr Thompson said the system was intended to pro-

vide a back-up to the telephone, but it had the advantage that more than two parties could communicate at once.

The South island Commissioner for Civil Defence, Mr W. B. F. McAllum, said the new network provided an important link between the various areas in the region. “It is a firm commitment to regional civil defence,” he said.

The system, which cost the Canterbury United Council about $21,000, will now be tested regularly with a weekly call to all parts of the region.