Red Cross descends on Rotorua for fake 'disasters' weekend

PRACTICE: Red Cross volunteer Disaster Welfare Support Teams last came to Rotorua in 2014 for its annual exercise. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Multiple disasters are set to strike Rotorua but don't be alarmed, it's not for real.

Red Cross New Zealand is hosting several Red Cross volunteer Disaster Welfare Support Teams in the city for its annual North Island exercise this weekend.

Teams will attend from as far north as Whangarei and south to Wellington/Kapiti Coast.

About 120 volunteers will set up scenarios consistent with the Red Cross support obligations under the National Civil Defence Plan.

North Island Disaster Management Officer Graeme Langford said they would be in Rotorua all weekend.

"We have nine North Island based teams coming to spend time in Owhata and Lake Okareka in association with the Mokoia Community Association, the council and the fire service.

"We will be going door to door in Owhata seeing how well prepared people are and providing them with information on emergency packs and plans as well as smoke alarms.

"At Lake Okareka we will be conducting a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) assessment. We will be testing how much water they would need to have to live on during an emergency."

He said throughout the day they would also be holding role plays of big disasters which the public could participate in.

Tomorrow from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm they would be giving out information, displaying their gear and running the role plays from the Owhata Primary School hall.