Following the Ministry Of Civil Defence and Emergency Management tsunami warning and land threat after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake this morning, St John has activated its National Crisis Coordination Centre and has local Emergency Operation Centres set up in the South Island.
St John is working closely with the National Crisis Management Centre, including Civil Defence, Government and emergency and health agencies.
St John staff, resources and emergency equipment have been relocated to higher ground, and resource is being moved to affected areas in order to maintain response capability.
Casualty numbers and injury numbers are unknown at this stage.
111 call volumes for ambulance are at normal levels. St John asks the public to assist us by keeping the 111 service for emergencies, and following local Civil Defence instructions.
St John advises people to have their phones medicines and emergency kits with them and to keep in contact with family and friends.
Please refer to Civil Defence website http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ and Civil Defence in your region for local instructions.
Authorised by St John National Controller Norma Lane