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Text alerts
Txt OPTN TCD to 2678. It's free and it may save your life
The power of texting has been harnessed to help give Taranaki people warning of impending Civil Defence emergencies.
Free text alerts from the Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management Group will be broadcast as necessary to all those who subscribe to the service. Subscription is free.
To subscribe, txt OPTN TCD to 2678.
Civil Defence authorities say the service will enhance the ability of those responding to emergencies to ensure the public has immediate access to information.
“Getting real-time information to people in a timely manner during a Civil Defence emergency is critical. This service, along with more traditional media such as radio, will be fundamental to helping us do this,” says Taranaki Regional Council Director-Environment Quality Gary Bedford.
The messages will be short and are most likely to include advice for people to turn on their radios or go to this website for furher information about a developing emergency.
Texts will be managed and updated as necessary by emergency management staff.
“Our aim is to provide subscribers with relevant ‘heads up’ information to ensure they can both prepare for - and if necessary respond to – a significant emergency situation,” Mr Bedford says.
“It’s another tool for us, and a useful one. However, it doesn’t mean anyone – Civil Defence workers or the public – can be relaxed about preparing for the prospect of an emergency. People still need heed those Get Ready, Get Thru messages and prepare now, not when the warning comes.”
The service is provided through communications company OPTN. Managing Director Murray Derecourt says it is based on a successful existing model used by companies to send regular text updates about their products and services.
The emergency warning system has been in use in other parts of the country - including during the Ruapehu lahar event last year.
OPTN is a subsidiary of Rocom Wireless.
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How to subscribe
To subscribe, txt OPTN TCD to 2678. It costs nothing.
To unsusbscribe, txt OPTX TCD to 2678.
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