Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters is encouraging Rotorua residents and businesses to register to take part in the New Zealand ShakeOut earthquake drill taking place across the country at 9.26am on 26 September.
This follows news from Civil Defence Minister Chris Tremain that the first ever ShakeOut drill has made the half way target with more than half a million people already registered to participate.
"We aim to grow this number to one million," says Mr Tremain.
"After the recent Taranaki earthquake there was a noticeable increase in registrations. This was the wake-up call many New Zealanders needed and motivated people to sign up for the emergency exercise," says Mr Tremain.
"A key part of the campaign has been involving children, so it's really good to see that half the enrolments are from pre-schools and schools. Children are great at spreading the message among family and friends that they need to "drop, cover and hold" when an earthquake strikes.
"New Zealand ShakeOut is an important Civil Defence initiative and I would encourage everyone to take part. The reality is New Zealand is earthquake prone and we need to have our families prepared in the event of a large national disaster."
New Zealand ShakeOut aims to have one million people 'Drop, Cover and Hold' at precisely 9.26am on Wednesday 26 September (9:26; 26/9/12)
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 to register to take part:
- To sign up now - go to www.getthru.govt.nz (it takes only two minutes).
- Spread the word - share with friends, family and workmates via word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter, email and other methods.
- Do the drill at 9:26 on 26/9/12 - 'Drop, Cover and Hold'.