-
Watch Video
-
Related
Around 50 army personnel from the Burnham Military Camp are in Christchurch to help out where needed in the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquake.
As well as providing security, Colonel Roger McElwain said the Army can assist with water purification, transport and medical support.
He told ONE News the Army was taking its lead from the police and regional civil defence headquarters.
McElwain said army training lends itself to these sorts of situations and they have regular exercises with Civil Defence. But he said the basic training means the army can instantly provide a group of disciplined people.
With a surge of police coming in to Christchurch, the army was offering practical support with accommodation and transport as well as providing security, McElwain said.
He said a number of unstable buildings will require picketing to keep people out for their own safety and for security of goods and services.
"We can provide the manpower and resource that the police require."
And McElwain said the initial deployment can "go larger if required".
He said the police will dictate how long the army has a presence
in the earthquake zone.
Did you experience the Canterbury quake? Do you have images or video or CCTV footage of the earthquake? Send them into news@tvnz.co.nz
Share your experiences of the earthquake on our messageboard at the end of this article:
Add a Comment:
Post new commentgordy said on 2010-09-09 @ 13:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im my 51 years on this earth I have never felt so pertrified..my first thoughts was we had been hit by a nuclear bomb and it was Armageddon. Never ever want to experience it again
schicken said on 2010-09-08 @ 19:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
I thought the same thing initially. However, another quake big enough to close or shift the cracks further is likely to be heard first and all the kids will most likely be fine. If a child does get swallowed up, I'm probably not going to have huge empathy for the media coverage or their parents, but until then, let the region have a little bit of fun. Education about health risks regarding contaminated water may be a good idea for all. :)
thinkaboutit said on 2010-09-06 @ 23:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
More great coverage tonight TVNZ especially highlighting the situation at individual community levels where people reported they felt abandoned. All credit to those organising themselves into community working groups at this level despite this. Arguably the recovery process would be greatly enhanced if these community groups were psychologically and practically supported by establishing official coordination centres at individual community levels.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
You're making some good points here. Perhaps some of the donations could be towards purchasing and setting up storage of these sorts of things. Individuals are also responsible for making their own preparations. I clean and keep old 3L juice bottles filled with water. Every now and then I water my house plants with one and refill it to refresh it.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why are they buying water? Aren't there several tankers about the city giving it away?