Uncertainty over the Maniototo's civil defence plan should a natural disaster strike has led to holding an information evening.
The event, arranged by the Maniototo branch of Rural Women New Zealand, will start at 7.30pm on April 13 at the Maniototo Stadium rugby clubrooms in Ranfurly. A similar meeting, organised by Cromwell Neighbourhood Support, will be held in the Cromwell Presbyterian Church hall on April 14, also starting at 7.30pm.
Maniototo meeting organiser Christine Cleugh, of Gimmerburn, said following the recent Christchurch earthquakes there was much discussion about what would happen in the Maniototo should something similar occur there.
"People are a wee bit shaky because of Christchurch, particularly the elderly. So we thought it was a good time to get people together. We can find out what people know and what they need to know," she said.
Central Otago District Council emergency management officer Owen Burgess will also outline what people should do for themselves before a natural disaster.
"We'll also look at what we [council] do and how it would be run from an emergency management point of view," he said.
Representatives from Red Cross, St John, search and rescue services, the Ranfurly and Naseby volunteer fire brigades, local schools, Chalet Home for the Aged, Maniototo Hospital and the Maniototo radio station are being invited to take part.
The first 50 people through the door at the Ranfurly evening will get a transistor radio - handy in an emergency.
