Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Radio Hawke’s Bay built a digital/terrestrial Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) to distribute detailed information across the region during disasters. The platform uses the local radio frequencies 1431AM and 104.7FM and iOS and Android apps, with coverage from Wairoa to Takapau.
The EBS is a not-for-profit community resource, designed to capture all of Hawke’s Bay’s information in one place, from public announcements and press releases, as a day-to-day operation.
We are currently seeking community reporters and moderators to support this system. The system was used in the June 2024 flooding emergencies to provide 'proof of concept'. The EBS allowed real-time, regular and timely updates for digital and terrestrial radio listeners. Moving forward, the number of people trained to use the system needs to be increased. Work to capture all the official information coming out of councils, utilities and emergency services needs to continue.
Once the system is fully up and running, the final step is to increase public awareness of the system and how they can access it. For more information, contact Natalie Robb at Radio Hawkes Bay. natalie@radiohawkesbay.org.nz.