Lack of information by Emergency Management Cook Islands unacceptable

The lack of a rapid response and issuing of public information from the Emergency Management Cook Islands HQ (EMCI) regarding the earthquake disaster in Samoa and the tsunami alert that had been issued and its possible effects on the Cook Islands is a cause for concern.
Here on Rarotonga, it would appear EMCI’s training in preparedness and a rapid response went out the window when a real live emergency event presented itself. Regardless of the level of seriousness, the occasion was an ideal moment to test the preparedness of the emergency management team’s ability to respond quickly.
Worse yet is the fact that over 50 overseas journalists are here at present covering the Mini-Games. They are likely to report to their papers that the Cook Islands did not appear to be prepared for the tsunami nor did our prime government agency appear to take it very seriously.
What EMCI’s response was regarding the outer islands especially the northern group, which is closer to Samoa, is not known.
The Commissioner of Police who is but one member of the collective emergency management group however, was proactive in contacting the northern group and informing the public.
The lack of official local information from EMCI is in stark contrast with the constant updates on ABC Breakfast Show on CITV which a lot of local viewers had been watching closely all morning.
The Show had reports that an entire village had been wiped out in Samoa and there had been 14 deaths so far in Samoa and ABC offered a line that people could ring and give updates from wherever they were in the Pacific.
Contrast this with local media efforts to offer a similar service and being stymied by EMCI who told one of the directors at 8.30am he was not available for interview in the morning nor later as he would be at the football playoff for the Mini Games!
Soon after that response from EMCI, Radio Cook Islands received a call that the Ports Authority were preparing to evacuate the wharf and CITV rushed down to get the story. On arrival, the tide was visibly lower than normal and within half hour most of the ships moved on to the open sea. When asked for comment, the harbour master refused to be interviewed on television or make any comment.
A call went through to the radio station to let them know this and ask if any official bulletin had been issued by EMCI.
Not all, but somehow businesses along the waterfront had gotten unofficial news of the situation and closed their businesses as a precautionary measure. Word is that even the Queen’s Representative was trying to get information from EMCI and not getting anywhere.
If this tsunami warning was anything to go by, then EMCI’s response should be reviewed. Some members of the public have suggested EMCI be disbanded and control be given to the Police Commissioner whose prompt actions and announcements were enough to reassure a nervous public.

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