One of Council’s two new Starlink satellite broadband devices had a test run this week when civil defence volunteers on staff took part in a training drill to practise setting up an emergency operations centre (EOC).

Civil Defence teams in the North Island have been using Starlink devices over the past week after Cyclone Gabrielle wiped out celltower and fibre internet connections.

Ashburton’s two portable Starlink connections have been purchased for deployment if needed in emergencies – they can be set up anywhere and powered by electricity or generator.

Council Compliance and Development Group Manager Jane Donaldson said the Starlink devices were an important part of the Civil Defence kit and regular training exercises were run by Emergency Management Officer Jim Henderson.

“Communication is essential and while we have a radio network to keep in touch with other Civil Defence centres, we have seen how important it is for members of the community to be able to get in touch with their loved ones too.

“We are also going to buy some bedding kits so that that if we have to set up a Civil Defence or emergency operations centre away from our main base at Council then we have the capacity to do so.”

Council staff who volunteer for Civil Defence duties are allocated roles in the EOC, like logistics, welfare and public information management, and are part of a larger team co-ordinating and co-operating to respond to incidents.

Ms Donaldson said ensuring communities could communicate in an emergency was vital, so the Starlink devices were a welcome addition to Civil Defence equipment Council could supply.

“We also have generators and fuel, satellite phones, and radios, along with other practical pieces of kit like scene lights, torches and batteries.”

She said volunteers regularly tested equipment and different emergency functions, so that they could hit the ground running in a real emergency.

“As events over the past weeks have shown, you never know when an emergency will strike.”

Flooding is a major natural hazard for the Ashburton District, and scientists are also warning that a major rupture of the alpine fault is due and that communities should be prepared.

To find out more about Civil Defence and the risks we face, click here.