The legacy Rodney District Council emergency text alert messaging system OPTN will no longer be available from 7 August.

The decommissioning of the OPTN system is part of Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s wider review of its public alerting services.

A text messaging system offering the same service is already available, with those on the OPTN Rodney service encouraged to sign up to this via the Civil Defence website.

“We are making our systems more effective and efficient,” says Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director at Auckland Council, John Dragicevich.

He says there is now much better technology is available.

“Civil Defence organisations around the world are modernising their public alerting systems to take advantage of texting, online applications and social media.”

Other public alerting options available for Auckland residents include:

• The Auckland Civil Defence App for iPhone and Android users
• Email notifications 
• Social media (Facebook and Twitter)
  There are currently 7600 Aucklanders registered as using the existing Rodney service and Mr Dragicevich says they will be sent a message advising them of the change and how to sign up to the alternative alerting systems.

Rodney is at risk of severe storms with damage-causing winds, flooding and coastal storm surges.  In low-lying coastal areas, particularly on the east coast, there is a risk of a tsunami from the Pacific Ocean.

There is plenty people can do to prepare themselves for a disaster before it happens.

This includes:

• Learning about disasters for their local area and how to keep safe
• Knowing the right action to take before, during and after an earthquake (drop, cover and hold)
• Creating and practicing a household emergency plan
• Assembling and maintaining an emergency survival kit
• Having a getaway kit in case you need to leave in a hurry
• Know your neighbours, connect with your community and familiarise yourself with your Community Response Plan (there are 17 in the legacy Rodney area).

For more information about being prepared, go to the Get Ready Get Thru section of the Civil Defence website.

To sign up for the International ShakeOut Day of Action on Thursday 15 October, 2015 (and be counted in the largest-ever earthquake drill in New Zealand) go to New Zealand ShakeOut website.

To register for the text alerts visit the Auckland Civil Defence website, click on ‘subscribe to emergency alerts’ and follow the instructions. For further information please email CivilDefence.

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