If the lights go out in Oamaru, Civil Defence will be ready.
Tomorrow, groups involved in Civil Defence management in the Waitaki district are conducting their annual exercise, this year labelled "Exercise Lights Out".
Waitaki District Council emergency services manager Chris Raine said the exercise would test the response to a large-scale and protracted power outage.
"It will be based on an electricity power disruption occurring throughout North Otago, coupled with low lake levels and continuing `brown-outs', where power is restricted and distribution across Oamaru has to be managed carefully," Mr Raine said.
The scenario will take into account the requirements of rural communities and the utility companies that will be involved in the management of such an event.
It will involve all response organisations within the Civil Defence sector, such as police, fire service, St John, welfare agencies and utility companies.
Mr Raine said the exercise was a great opportunity for agencies to discuss problems they would need to resolve within the context of the exercise.
The Emergency Operations Centre at the Waitaki District Council building on Severn St will be home to a single shift of personnel, including representatives from other organisations, from 10am to 2.30pm.
