Support at hand with touch of a button

With the touch of a button, civil defence can override the radio and broadcast emergency information into the furthest reaches of Marlborough.

The arrangement with Brian FM is a New Zealand first and has proved an invaluable service in disasters such as November’s earthquake.

The service has earned the radio station an innovation award at the inaugural Emergency Media and Public Affairs Conference.

Brian FM spokesman Andrew Jeffries says the station has gone out of its way to broadcast the emergency messages into the furthest corners of the region.

‘‘We purposefully went out of our way to buy those frequencies which allowed communities not only to receive music day-to-day, but also vital information in an emergency,’’ he says.

‘‘We’re really proud. Our little team didn’t expect to get an award like this.’’

Brian FM, which broadcasts into Blenheim, Picton, Havelock, Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds, Seddon and the Awatere Valley, has the best coverage in Marlborough, Andrew says.

It makes sense for the music broadcaster to include emergency messaging in its platform, he says.

The station has learned and upgraded after a power outage brought 45 minutes of radio silence in the wake of last year’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, Andrew says.

A repeat blackout was made less likely this month after a backup generator, worth $21,000, was installed on the Wither Hills above Blenheim.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF MDC communications manager Glyn Walters collects Brian FM’s award at the Emergency Management and Public Affairs Conference, with Marlborough Civil Defence welfare manager Catherine Coates, centre, and Whanganui District Council representative Cass...