Council staff and volunteers are preparing to take part in a major civil defence exercise on Thursday 7 November.

The national exercise, called Pandora, is about training people and practising for an emergency and this year’s scenario will be set three days after a big alpine earthquake.

Compliance and Development Group Manager Ian Hyde said roleplaying a scenario was one of the most important tools in the emergency management training toolbox.

“It enables us to test our systems and staff to practise their roles as if in an actual emergency and during Pandora, councils and hundreds of staff across Canterbury will activate and respond to a large, regional emergency.

“The exact details of what we will be facing remain a closely guarded secret, so participants need to be ready to adapt to changing circumstances and unexpected developments, just like a real emergency.

“What we do know is this year’s exercise will be set three days after a major rupture of the Alpine Fault and that’s a scenario that’s guaranteed to test us.”

During Pandora, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Te Whare Whakatere will become a hive of activity.  It will also be the first large-scale test for the newly-built facility.

Staff and volunteers will need to confirm and evaluate information from various sources, develop action plans for the response, coordinate evacuations, establish welfare centres and keep the community updated.

Behind the scenes - adding realism and twists for participants - experienced Civil Defence staff will be adding further tests through regular “injects” of new information or developments.  In the past, these have included sudden weather changes, reports of a missing tour group, and dealing with misinformation spreading across social media.

Mr Hyde said the alpine fault is Canterbury’s single biggest risk as a region.

“We’ve spent significant time preparing and planning for when it ruptures and exercises like Pandora are essential for our preparation, and allow us to see what’s working well and what may need improvement.”

Council’s partners in emergency agencies, such as NZ Police, Hato Hone - St John, and Fire and Emergency NZ will also be involved in exercise Pandora.