Earthquake preparedness

Last updated

Preparations for earthquakes can consist of survival measures, preparation that will improve survival in the event of an earthquake, or mitigating measures, that seek to minimise the effect of an earthquake. Common survival measures include storing food and water for an emergency, and educating individuals what to do during an earthquake. [1] Mitigating measures can include firmly securing large items of furniture (such as bookcases and large cabinets), TV and computer screens that may otherwise fall over in an earthquake. Likewise, avoiding storing items above beds or sofas reduces the chance of objects falling on individuals. [2]

Contents

Planning for a related tsunami, tsunami preparedness, can also be part of earthquake preparedness. [3]

Building design and retrofitting

Seismic codes in earthquake prone areas may have specific requirements designed to increase new buildings' resistance to earthquakes. Older buildings and homes that are not up to code may be modified to increase their resistance. Modification and earthquake resistant design are also employed in elevated freeways and bridges.

Codes are not designed to make buildings earthquake proof in the sense of them suffering zero damage. The goal of most building designs is to reduce earthquake damage to a building such that it protects the lives of occupants and thus tolerance of some limited damage is accepted and considered a necessary trade-off. A supplement or precursor to retrofitting can be the implementation of earthquake-proof furniture.

Earthquake modification techniques and modern building codes are designed to prevent total destruction of buildings for earthquakes of no greater than 8.5 on the Richter Scale. [4] Although the Richter Scale is referenced, the localized shaking intensity is one of the largest factors to be considered in building resiliency.

Types of preparedness

The basic theme behind preparedness is to be ready for an earthquake. Preparedness starts with an individual's everyday life and involves items and training that would be useful in an earthquake. Preparedness continues on a continuum from individual preparedness through family preparedness, community preparedness [5] and then business, non-profit and governmental preparedness. Some organisations blend these various levels. Business continuity planning encourages businesses to have a Disaster Recovery Plan. The US FEMA breaks down preparedness generally into a pyramid, with citizens on the foundational bottom, on top of which rests local government, state government and federal government in that order. [6]

Non-perishable food in cabinet Non Perishable Food in cabinet.JPG
Non-perishable food in cabinet

Children may present particular issues and some planning and resources are directly focused on supporting them. The US FEMA has advice noting that "Disasters can leave children feeling frightened, confused, and insecure" whether a child has experienced it first hand, had it happen to a friend or simply seen it on television. [7] People with disabilities or other special needs may have special emergency preparation needs. FEMA's suggestions for people with disabilities include having copies of prescriptions, charging devices for medical devices such as motorized wheel chairs and a week's supply of medication readily available. [8] Preparedness can also cover pets.

Preparedness can also encompass psychological preparedness: resources are designed to support both community members affected by a disaster and the disaster workers serving them.

A multi-hazard approach, where communities are prepared for several hazards, are more resilient than single hazard approaches and have been gaining popularity. [9] [10] [2]

Long term power outages can cause damage beyond the original disaster that can be mitigated with emergency generators or other power sources to provide an emergency power system. [11] The United States Department of Energy states: "homeowners, business owners, and local leaders may have to take an active role in dealing with energy disruptions on their own." [12] Major institutions like hospitals, military bases and educational institutions often have extensive backup power systems. [13] Preparedness does not stop at home or at school. [14] The United States Department of Health and Human Services addresses specific emergency preparedness issues hospitals may have to respond to, including maintaining a safe temperature, providing adequate electricity for life support systems and even carrying out evacuations under extreme circumstances. [15] FEMA encourages all businesses to have an emergency response plan [16] and the Small Business Administration specifically advises small business owners to also focus emergency preparedness and provides a variety of different worksheets and resources. [17]

Marked gas shuttoff Marked gas shuttoff.JPG
Marked gas shuttoff

Given the explosive danger posed by natural gas leaks, Ready.gov states that "It is vital that all household members know how to shut off natural gas" and that property owners must ensure they have any special tools needed for their particular gas connections. Ready.gov also notes that "It is wise to teach all responsible household members where and how to shut off the electricity," cautioning that individual circuits should be shut off before the main circuit. Ready.gov further states that "It is vital that all household members learn how to shut off the water at the main house valve" and cautions that the possibility that rusty valves might require replacement. [18]

Achieving preparedness

Levels of preparedness generally remain low, despite attempts to increase public awareness. [19]

Various methods exist to promote disaster preparedness, but they are rarely well documented and their efficacy is rarely tested. [20] Hands on training, drills and face-to-face interaction have proven more successful at changing behaviour. [2] [21] Digital methods have also been used, [2] including for examples educational videogames. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster</span> Event or chain of events resulting in major damage, destruction or death

A disaster is a serious problem that happens over a period of time and causes so much harm to people, things, economies, or the environment that the affected community or society cannot handle it on its own. In theory, natural disasters are those caused by natural hazards, whereas human-made disasters are those caused by human hazards. However, in modern times, the divide between natural, human-made or human-accelerated disasters is more and more difficult to draw. In fact, all disasters can be seen as human-made, due to human failure to introduce appropriate emergency management measures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natural disaster</span> Major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth

A natural disaster is the highly harmful impact on a society or community following a natural hazard event. Some examples of natural hazard events include: flooding, drought, earthquake, tropical cyclone, lightning, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or damage property, and typically leaves economic damage in its wake. The severity of the damage depends on the affected population's resilience and on the infrastructure available. Scholars have been saying that the term natural disaster is unsuitable and should be abandoned. Instead, the simpler term disaster could be used, while also specifying the category of hazard. A disaster is a result of a natural or human-made hazard impacting a vulnerable community. It is the combination of the hazard along with exposure of a vulnerable society that results in a disaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Emergency Management Agency</span> United States disaster response agency, part of Department of Homeland Security

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders on April 1, 1979. The agency's primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities. The governor of the state in which the disaster occurs must declare a state of emergency and formally request from the President that FEMA and the federal government respond to the disaster. The only exception to the state's gubernatorial declaration requirement occurs when an emergency or disaster takes place on federal property or to a federal asset—for example, the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or the Space Shuttle Columbia in the 2003 return-flight disaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Business continuity planning</span> Prevention and recovery from threats that might affect a company

Business continuity may be defined as "the capability of an organization to continue the delivery of products or services at pre-defined acceptable levels following a disruptive incident", and business continuity planning is the process of creating systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats to a company. In addition to prevention, the goal is to enable ongoing operations before and during execution of disaster recovery. Business continuity is the intended outcome of proper execution of both business continuity planning and disaster recovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seismic risk</span> Likelihood of damage to a building or system from an earthquake

Seismic risk refers to the risk of damage to a building, system, or other entity from an earthquake. Seismic risk has been defined, for most management purposes, as the potential economic, social and environmental consequences of hazardous events that may occur in a specified period of time. A building located in a region of high seismic hazard is at lower risk if it is built to sound seismic engineering principles. On the other hand, a building located in a region with a history of minor seismicity, in a brick building located on fill subject to liquefaction can be as high or higher risk.

IT disaster recovery is the process of maintaining or reestablishing vital infrastructure and systems following a natural or human-induced disaster, such as a storm or battle. It employs policies, tools, and procedures. Disaster recovery focuses on information technology (IT) or technology systems supporting critical business functions as opposed to business continuity. This involves keeping all essential aspects of a business functioning despite significant disruptive events; it can therefore be considered a subset of business continuity. Disaster recovery assumes that the primary site is not immediately recoverable and restores data and services to a secondary site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency management</span> Dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies

Emergency management or disaster management is a science and a system charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actually focus on the management of emergencies, which can be understood as minor events with limited impacts and are managed through the day-to-day functions of a community. Instead, emergency management focuses on the management of disasters, which are events that produce more impacts than a community can handle on its own. The management of disasters tends to require some combination of activity from individuals and households, organizations, local, and/or higher levels of government. Although many different terminologies exist globally, the activities of emergency management can be generally categorized into preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery, although other terms such as disaster risk reduction and prevention are also common. The outcome of emergency management is to prevent disasters and where this is not possible, to reduce their harmful impacts.

Flood insurance is the specific insurance coverage issued against property loss from flooding. To determine risk factors for specific properties, insurers will often refer to topographical maps that denote lowlands, floodplains and other areas that are susceptible to flooding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act</span> US law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal disaster assistance

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is a 1988 United States federal law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. Congress's intention was to encourage states and localities to develop comprehensive disaster preparedness plans, prepare for better intergovernmental coordination in the face of a disaster, encourage the use of insurance coverage, and provide federal assistance programs for losses due to a disaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAZUS</span>

Hazus is a geographic information system-based natural hazard analysis tool developed and freely distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Preparedness is a set of actions that are taken as precautionary measures in the face of potential disasters. Being prepared helps in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster risk reduction</span> Preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk factors

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is an approach for planning and taking steps to make disasters less likely to happen, and less damaging when they do happen. DRR aims to make communities stronger and better prepared to handle disasters. When DRR is successful, it decreases the vulnerability of communities because it mitigates the effects of disasters. This means DRR can reduce the severity and number of risky events. Since climate change can increase climate hazards, DRR and climate change adaptation are often looked at together in development efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency Management Institute</span> United States emergency response school run by FEMA

The United States’ Emergency Management Institute (EMI), of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), serves as the United States’ focal point for the development and delivery of emergency management training. The emergency management training improves the capabilities of state, territorial, local, and tribal government officials; volunteer organizations; FEMA's disaster workforce; other Federal agencies; and the public and private sectors to minimize the impact of disasters and emergencies on the American public. EMI curricula are structured to meet the needs of this diverse audience, with an emphasis on separate organizations working together in all-hazards emergencies to save lives and protect property. Particular emphasis is placed on governing doctrine, such as, the National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the National Preparedness Guidelines. EMI is fully accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and the American Council on Education (ACE). The instruction is based upon the principles of Emergency Management and instructional systems design. This instruction creates a framework within whole community to reduce vulnerability to hazards and to cope with disasters. EMI develops courses and implements training delivery systems to include residential onsite training; offsite delivery in partnership with Emergency Management training systems, colleges, and universities; and technology-based mediums to conduct individual training courses for Emergency Management and Response personnel across the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazard</span> Situation or object that can cause damage

A hazard is a potential source of harm. Substances, events, or circumstances can constitute hazards when their nature would allow them, even just theoretically, to cause damage to health, life, property, or any other interest of value. The probability of that harm being realized in a specific incident, combined with the magnitude of potential harm, make up its risk, a term often used synonymously in colloquial speech.

Since its inception in 2004, National Preparedness Month is observed each September in the United States of America. It is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security and encourages Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their communities. FEMA's Ready Campaign, the correlating public education outreach campaign, disseminates information to help the general public prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado preparedness</span>

The term "tornado preparedness" refers to safety precautions made before the arrival of and during a tornado. Historically, the steps taken have varied greatly, depending on location, or time remaining before a tornado was expected. For example, in rural areas, people might prepare to enter an external storm cellar, in case the main building collapses, and thereby allow exit without needing rescue from the main building as in urban areas. Because tropical storms have spawned many tornadoes, hurricane preparations also involve tornadoes. The term "tornado preparedness" has been used by government agencies, emergency response groups, schools, insurance companies, and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane recovery in North Carolina</span> Dealing with effects of hurricanes in North Carolina

Due to the common occurrence of hurricanes in the coastal state of North Carolina, hurricane recovery in North Carolina is a large component of the state's emergency management efforts. Recovery from these tremendous storms at the local and state level is a large part of the aftermath of a hurricane. Gavin Smith and Victor Flatt stated that "Disaster recovery remains the least understood aspect of hazards management, when assessed relative to preparedness, response, and hazard mitigation." Smith and Flatt also went on to state that the role of the states is even less understood. The review of the plans and policies that instruct recovery, agencies involved, funding processes and budgets, and the environmental effects of a hurricane creates a better understanding of how North Carolina recovers from a hurricane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster preparedness (cultural property)</span> Preserving and protecting cultural artifact collections

Disaster preparedness in museums, galleries, libraries, archives and private collections, involves any actions taken to plan for, prevent, respond or recover from natural disasters and other events that can cause damage or loss to cultural property. 'Disasters' in this context may include large-scale natural events such as earthquakes, flooding or bushfire, as well as human-caused events such as theft and vandalism. Increasingly, anthropogenic climate change is a factor in cultural heritage disaster planning, due to rising sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns, warming average temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vertical and horizontal evacuation</span> Strategies for providing safety to humans in natural disasters

Vertical and horizontal evacuation are strategies for providing safety to humans in case of tsunami, hurricane or other natural disaster.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) was established in 1977 by the United States Congress as part of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. The original stated purpose for NEHRP was "to reduce the risks of life and property from future Earthquakes in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program." Congress periodically reviews and reauthorizes NEHRP, with the most recent review happening in 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "Earthquakes - Province of British Columbia". Archived from the original on 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Joffe, Helene; Perez-Fuentes, Gabriela; Potts, Henry W W; Rossetto, Tiziana (16 August 2016). "How to increase earthquake and home fire preparedness: the fix-it intervention" (PDF). Natural Hazards. 84 (3): 1943–1965. doi: 10.1007/s11069-016-2528-1 . S2CID   132490772.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Tsunamis - Province of British Columbia". Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  4. ↑ Smith, Charles (2006-04-15). "What San Francisco didn't learn from the '06 quake". San Francisco Chronicle . Archived from the original on 2009-10-26. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "In It Together - Province of British Columbia". Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  6. ↑ "Why Prepare" (PDF). Fema.gov. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  7. ↑ "Coping with Disaster". FEMA.gov. 2015-01-31. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  8. ↑ (archived link, February 11, 2015)
  9. ↑ Scawthorn, C.; Schneider, P. J.; Schauer, B. A. (2006). "Natural Hazards—The Multihazard Approach". Natural Hazards Review. 7 (2): 39. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2006)7:2(39).
  10. ↑ Scawthorn, C.; O'Rourke, T. D.; Blackburn, F. T. (2006). "The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire—Enduring Lessons for Fire Protection and Water Supply". Earthquake Spectra. 22 (Suppl. 2): 135–158. Bibcode:2006EarSp..22..135S. doi:10.1193/1.2186678. S2CID   110798580.
  11. ↑ "Install a Generator for Emergency Power" (PDF). Fema.gov. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  12. ↑ "Community Guidelines for Energy Emergencies | Department of Energy". Energy.gov. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  13. ↑ "Microgrid Effects and Opportunities for Utilities" (PDF). Burnsmcd.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-12. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  14. ↑ "Plan for Locations". Ready.gov. 2014-01-30. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  15. ↑ "Hospital Evacuation Decision Guide: Chapter 2. Pre-Disaster Self-Assessment". Archive.ahrq.gov. 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  16. ↑ "Emergency Response Plan". Ready.gov. 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  17. ↑ https://www.sba.gov/content/disaster-preparedness Emergency Preparedness
  18. ↑ "Utility Shut-off & Safety". Ready.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  19. ↑ Joffe, H.; Rossetto, T.; Solberg, C.; O'Connor, C. (2013). "Social Representations of Earthquakes: A Study of People Living in Three Highly Seismic Areas" (PDF). Earthquake Spectra. 29 (2): 367–397. Bibcode:2013EarSp..29..367J. doi:10.1193/1.4000138. S2CID   53648708.
  20. ↑ Verrucci, E.; Perez-Fuentes, G.; Rossetto, T.; Bisby, L.; Haklay, M.; Rush, D.; Rickles, P.; Fagg, G.; Joffe, H. (2016). "Digital engagement methods for earthquake and fire preparedness: a review". Natural Hazards. 83: 1583–1604. doi: 10.1007/s11069-016-2378-x . hdl: 20.500.11820/dbd72f75-67fa-421e-8205-9b3567313753 .
  21. ↑ Joffe, Helene; Potts, Henry W W; Rossetto, Tiziana; Doğulu, Canay; Gul, Ervin; Perez-Fuentes, Gabriela (1 April 2019). "The Fix-it face-to-face intervention increases multihazard household preparedness cross-culturally" (PDF). Nature Human Behaviour. 3 (5): 453–461. doi:10.1038/s41562-019-0563-0. PMID   30936428. S2CID   89616881. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  22. ↑ "shakeoutgame". dropcoverholdon.org. Archived from the original on 20 October 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.