A quarter of Taranaki’s population will be dropping to the floor in unison on Wednesday morning – with young people leading the way.
By 6am today (Monday 24 September), a total of 26,958 Taranaki people, or 24.7% of the region’s 109,000 people, had registered for New Zealand ShakeOut, the national earthquake drill which will take place at 9.26am on Wednesday, 26 September (9.26 – 26-9).
More than 1.2 million New Zealanders will take part, practising the recommended Drop, Cover, Hold earthquake response. For up-to-date figures, go to www.getthru.govt.nz and follow the link to ShakeOut.
Of Taranaki’s registered participants so far, more than 17,000 are students and teachers in 70 of the region’s 95 schools, whose response to the campaign has pleased the region’s Civil Defence organisation. Sixty Taranaki pre-schools are also taking part.
“We’ve been working hard to promote ShakeOut in Taranaki’s education sector – we’ve visited 27 schools and talked to nearly 4,000 pupils and gone through the Drop, Cover, Hold exercise with them,” says Senior Emergency Management Officer Shane Briggs. “It’s great to see so much enthusiasm about ShakeOut.”
He says registrations have also been strong in the business category, with some of the big names in the petrochemical sector taking part.
“We’re sure the Taranaki numbers will swell further before Wednesday,,” says Mr Briggs. “It’s easy to register – just follow the link at www.getthru.govt.nz. All the information you need is there.”
He says the exercise emphasises the need for all New Zealanders to understand what they should do in an earthquake, and to be prepared for when disaster strikes.