Staff of FNPF use tsunami drill to identify and test evacuation procedures

As tsunami sirens were being tested in Suva this morning, the Fiji National Provident Fund staff used the exercise to identify and test their evacuation procedures.

It took the FNPF staff 14-18 minutes to clear from Downtown Boulevard to Victoria Park in Knolly Street which is their designated safe assembly area.

FNPF General Manager Corporate Governance, Uday Raj Singh says that the initial drill time set for FNPF staff to get to safety is 10 to 12 minutes and he hopes to see an improvement in the FNPF staff response time in their next drill, as this is for their own safety.

As the siren went off for one minute this morning, Fijivillage noticed people in Suva City were well aware that is was a tsunami warning siren.

Staff of FNPF discuss their Tsunami drill procedure at Victoria Park

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Office conducted a live test of the tsunami sirens at Water Authority of Fiji, Kinoya Sewerage Plant, FINTEL in Vatuwaqa, RFMF Officers Training School in Vatuwaqa, My Suva Park, Government Training Centre in Nasese, USP main campus and USP Statham Campus, i‑Taukei Trust Fund Board building, Civic Car park rooftop, Government Shipping Services in Walu Bay and Lami Town.

The general public was not required to evacuate however NDMO highlighted that it is very important for the public to become familiar with the sound of the tsunami early warning sirens.