Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness

Aim and audience This module provides a common starting point for understanding and discussing disasters, disaster management, and disaster preparedness as part of a National Society's mission, and discusses the potential scope of disaster preparedness measures.

This module is appropriate for anyone who has general responsibilities for disaster management and programme implementation. Non-technical personnel interested in acquiring a better understanding of disaster preparedness and the strategies and measures that may be implemented as part of a preparedness plan can also benefit from reading this module.

Introduction to

1. Disaster Preparedness
2. Preparedness Planning Risk Reduction
3. Increasing Community
4. Disaster Awareness
5. Disaster Emergency
6. Needs Assessment
7. Disaster Programme
8. Information and Reporting
9. Improving Coordination Improving Basic
10. Training Skills
11. Project
12. Planning

A comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy would therefore include the following:

1. Hazard, risk and vulnerability assessments

2. Response mechanisms and strategies

3. Preparedness plans

4. Coordination

5. Information management

6. Early warning systems

7. Resource mobilization

8. Public education, training, & rehearsals

9. Community-Based disaster preparedness

4.1 Hazard, risk and vulnerability assessments

All planning and implementation of disaster preparedness measures should be based on an assessment and prioritization of the hazards and risks that people face, as well as their ability or inability to cope with and withstand the effects of those hazards. This assessment should:

 • Identify the characteristics, frequency and potential severity of the hazards a community faces

• Identify the particular geographical areas and communities that are most susceptible and vulnerable to those hazards

• Identify the main sectors of a community (population, infrastructure, housing, services, etc.) that would be affected by a specific type of hazard and anticipate how they might be affected

• Assess the ability of those sectors to withstand and cope with the effects of hazardous phenomena

4.2 Response mechanisms and strategies

There are many preparedness mechanisms and strategies that will strengthen and increase the effectiveness of an emergency response.

These include development or formation of:

• Evacuation procedures (including how to disseminate these procedures to the public)

 • Search and rescue teams (including plans for training them)

• Assessment teams (including plans for training them) introdp.doc june 2000 11/20 disaster preparedness training programme international federation of red cross and red crescent societies

• An assessment process and information priorities for an emergency response

 • Measures to activate special installations, such as emergency or mobile hospital facilities

• Procedures for activating distribution systems

 • Preparations for emergency reception centers and shelters

• Procedures for activating emergency programs for airports, harbors and land transport

• Preparations for storing or making arrangements for rapid acquisition of emergency relief supplies and equipment the module "preparedness planning" cover these measures and the following in more detail.

4.3 Preparedness planning

The concept of preparedness planning is very important for those involved in disaster management. During an actual emergency, quick and effective action is required. This action often depends on having made and implemented preparedness plans. If appropriate action is not taken or if the response is delayed, lives may be needlessly lost. In a preliminary plan, even though the details of a disaster remain uncertain, you can identify emergency shelter sites, plan and publicize evacuation routes, identify emergency water sources, determine chains of command and communication procedures, train response personnel and educate people about what to do in case of an emergency. All of these measures will go a long way to improving the quality, timing and effectiveness of the response to a disaster.

4.4 Coordination

National Society plans ideally should be coordinated with the plans and intentions of other agencies and organizations. Effective disaster response requires mutual trust and coordination of efforts and resources among the many agencies and people involved in emergency response—including the affected local population and local community based organizations, Civil Defense and government emergency structures, fire brigades, health departments and clinics, Red Crescent/Red Cross Societies, international agencies, NGOs and others.

4.5 Information management

Disaster preparedness and response depend on gathering, analyzing and acting on timely and accurate information before (hazard and early warning information), during (disaster needs assessment) and after disasters (progress of post-disaster recovery). This requires that National Societies pre-determine what information they need, how it will be collected, who will collect it, who will analyze it and how it will be integrated into a timely decision-making process.

4.6 Early warning systems

 The purpose of early warning systems is to detect, forecast, and when necessary, issue alerts related to impending hazard events. In order to fulfill a risk reduction function, however, early warning needs to be supported by information about the actual and potential risks that a hazard poses, as well as the measures people can take to prepare for and mitigate its adverse impacts. Early warning information needs to be communicated in such a way that facilitates decision-making and timely action of response organizations and vulnerable groups.

4.7. Resource mobilization

 National Societies should develop strategies, agreements and procedures for mobilizing and acquiring emergency funds, supplies and equipment in the event of a disaster. A preparedness plan should spell out the policies for acquisition and disbursement of funds, use of outside equipment and services, and emergency funding strategies.

4.8. Public education, training and rehearsals

Disaster preparedness must be supported by public education campaigns, training of response teams and rehearsals of emergency response scenarios. The aim of public awareness and education programmes is to promote an informed, alert and self-reliant community, capable of playing its full part in support of and in co-operation with government officials and others responsible for disaster management activities. An essential part of a disaster preparedness plan is the education of those who may be threatened by a disaster. Although television, radio and printed media will never replace the impact of direct instruction, sensitively designed and projected messages can provide a useful supplement to the overall process.

5. Community-based disaster preparedness

Disaster preparedness and response are not solely the work of experts and emergency res ponders from National Societies and government disaster organizations. Local volunteers, citizens, organizations and businesses have an active and important role to play before, during and after major emergencies and disasters. Therefore, as stated earlier, Community-based disaster preparedness (CBDP) is a process that seeks to develop and implement a locally appropriate and locally "owned" strategy for disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

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