Sirens sound the end is nigh

Michael Emery, Mobile EOC Volunteer Team Manager and Marcus Hayes-Jones Napier Emergency Manager Officer. Photo / Glenn Taylor

The Napier City Council emergency management unit is planning to wrap up "Get Ready Week" in the best possible way - with the sound of sirens.

The annual emergency awareness week gets under way on Sunday with the theme of "What would you do?" and runs until September 27, with the council gearing up to sound the city's emergency sirens on Friday, September 26.

The sirens will sound at noon and continue for five minutes and this year's tests will include the latest addition to the city's sirens network.

The recently installed 17th siren is positioned in Battery Rd near the Princess Alexandra Retirement Village.

Emergency management officer Marcus Hayes-Jones said it was vital to clear up any audio "black spots" across the city.

Mr Hayes-Jones said council would be seeking feedback from the public in relation to the sirens and whether they were heard clearly in all areas.

About 850 people took part in a post-siren survey last year.

"Which was great but would always like more."

The survey will take place online and also by forms in local community newspapers.

• Information about the siren tests can be found on the council's website while a backgrounder to what "Get Ready Week" is all about is on hbemergency.govt.nz.