DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Dr. A.S.K. NAIR SCIENTIST-E2 Centre for Earth
Science Studies, Akkulam, P.B.No7250,
Thiruvananthapuram-695 031. askearth2004_at_yahoo.com
.sg  
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Disaster Preparedness

• Pre-disaster Preparedness
• Post-disaster Preparedness
• Efficient action at all levels to save lives
• Reduce sufferings
• Minimize damage to property

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Comprehensive Effort

• Public Education on all types of disasters
  through awareness campaigns
• Provision for issuing early warnings
• Organization of People
• Disaster Management Training
• Emergency food stock

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Natural Disaster Safety Tips

• Affects the lives of many people each year
• Within minutes a natural disaster can shatter a
  community.
• Their lives could be changed for ever.

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Disaster Management Seven Issues

• a) Database
• b) Logistics
• c) Technological Needs
• d) Self Reliance
• e) Communication Infrastructure
• f) Emergency Preparedness
• g) Forecasting

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a) Database

• On various resources, skills, services required
  for relief at short notice.
• It will have information on safety equipments,
  oxygen cylinders various other equipments,
  skills and other information required to deal
  with emergency.

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b) Logistics

• One of the most difficult problems to be handled
  is the organization of supply chain for relief.
• This system could not be integrated with the GIS
  system so that supplies could be tracked right
  upto the village.
• This needs to be done. Likewise, other elements
  of logistics need to be put in place.

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c) Technological Needs

• Whole range of technical questions regarding
  buildings, cutting concrete slabs, rescue and
  relief emerged which needed to be solved on the
  spot.
• The best practices have to be put in use.

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d) Self Reliance

• The community self-reliance, lot of aid led to
  excessive inventory at the household level
  leading to reduced incentives for work and
• self-help.
• Likewise, there were areas where communities came
  together to help each other.
• The lessons of community self-help need to be put
  together.
• A database of volunteers who can move at short
  notice will need to be developed.

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e) Communication Infrastructure

• This is a serious problem and has to be resolved
  once for all.
• It will require network of ham radios, use of All
  India Radio, Television Channels setting up
  help lines, etc.
• We will also have to create information
  dissemination system and develop mechanism for
  capacity building.

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f) Emergency Preparedness

• Drills will have to be organized to keep society
  prepared for dealing with such emergencies.
• One will have to learn from the experience of
  other similar drills.

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g) Forecasting

• Wherever possible, disasters which can be
  anticipated over time or space need to be looked
  into.
• For instance, buildings erected on land fill
  areas which were wetlands or low lying areas were
  more likely to get damaged, as was borne out by
  the recent evidence.

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Disaster Preparedness

• Knowledge and Preparation
• are the keys to survival in the event of a
  catastrophe.

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• Do you want to be prepared?
• Or
• Do you want to be surprised?
• Make disaster preparations at home.
• Survivalism is a state of mind.

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The Red Cross on Natural Disasters

• Disasters happen anytime and anywhere.
• And when disaster strikes, you may not have much
  time to respond.
• A highway spill or hazardous material could mean
  evacuation.

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• A winter storm could confine your family at home.
  An earthquake, flood, tornado, or any other
  disaster could cut water, electricity, and
  telephones-for days.
• After a disaster, local officials and relief
  workers will be on the scene, but they cannot
  reach everyone immediately.

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You could get help in hours, or it may take days.
Would your family be prepared to cope with the
emergency until help arrives?
Your family will cope best by preparing for
disaster before it strikes.
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• One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster
  Supplies Kit.
• Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop
  or search for supplies.
• But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your
  family can endure an evacuation or home
  confinement.

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Prepare Your Kit

• Review the checklist below. Gather the supplies
  that are listed. You may need them if your family
  is confined at home.
• Place the supplies you'd most likely need for an
  evacuation in an easy-to-carry container.
• These supplies are listed with an asterisk ().
  

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• 6 basic items to be stocked for your home
• Water
• food
• first aid supplies
• clothing and bedding
• tools and emergency supplies
• special items.
• Keep the items that you would most likely
• need during an evacuation in an easy-to
• carry container.

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• Possible Containers Include-
• A large, covered trash container,
• A camping backpack,
• A duffle bag.

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Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft
  drink bottles, etc.
• Avoid using containers that will decompose or
  break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
• A normally active person needs to drink at least
  5 Ls of water each day.

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• Hot environments and intense physical activity
  can double that amount.
• Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will
  need more. Store 10 Ls of water per person per
  day. Keep at least a three-day supply of water
  per person (30 Ls for drinking, 30 Ls for each
  person in your household for food
  preparation/sanitation).

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Food

• Store at least a three-day supply of
  non-perishable food.
• Select foods that require no refrigeration,
  preparation or cooking, and little or no water.
• If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.
• Select food items that are compact and
  lightweight.

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Include a selection of the following foods in
your Disaster Kit

• Supplies Kit
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and
  vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

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First Aid Kit

• Assemble a first aid kit for your home one for
  each car.
• A first aid kit should include
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• Sunscreen
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

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• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Non-prescription drugs
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors

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• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades (2)
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

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Non-Prescription Drugs

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if
  advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison
  Control Center)

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Tools and Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic
  utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher small canister ABC type

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• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare

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• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and
  water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)

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Clothing and Bedding

• Include at least one complete change of clothing
  footwear per person
• Sturdys shoes or work boots Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

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Special Items

• Remember family members with special
  requirements, such as infants and elderly or
  disabled persons For Baby
• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

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For Adults

• Heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses

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Entertainment

• Games
• Books

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Important Family Documents

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable
  container
• Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks
  and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization
  records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies

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• Inventory of valuable household goods, important
  telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death
  certificates)
• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all
  family members.
• Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies
  Kit in the trunk of your car.

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• Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
• Change your stored water supply every six months
  so it stays fresh.
• Replace your stored food every six months.
• Re-think your kit and family needs at least once
  a year.
• Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
• Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing
  prescription medications.

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ESCAPE PLAN

• In a fire or other similar emergency, evacuate on
  a moments notice.
• Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of
  your residence

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Show the location of doors, windows,
stairways, large furniture emergency
supplies fire extinguishers, smoke detectors,
collapsible shutters, etc.
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• CAUTION!
• Are you ready for a Flood/Flash Flood?
• Are you ready for an Earthquake?
• Are you ready for a Hurricane?
• Are you ready for a Fire?

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Thank You All