Showing off Emergency Management Otago’s new Covertex emergency shelters at the Dunedin Army Hall on Friday are (from left) New Zealand Army medic reserves platoon commander Bill Lu, Civil Defence training capability adviser Philip Witchall, Major Incident Support Team member Max Corboy, Emergency Management Otago group manager Matt Alley, Emergency Management Otago officer Oliver Varley and Red Cross Dunedin acting response team leader Hamish MacArthur.

The two new tents cost $46,000, including equipment such as lights and generators, Mr Alley said.

PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

The tents could be used in a variety of emergencies.

There were many past situations where emergency services would have greatly benefited from the temporary shelters, such as the Lake Ohau fire last year.