Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Basic Concepts and Terminologies in Disaster Management

 Hazard – a phenomenon or situation that has the potential to cause disruption or damage to
people, their property, services, and the environment.
Casualties – there is death
 Disaster – the serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing widespread human,
material, or environmental causes, which exceed the ability of the affected people to cope using
their resources
- Either man-made or natural, sudden or progressive causing widespread human, material, or
environmental losses.

3 conditions to name it a disaster: loss of property, lives, and services.

Vulnerability – conditions or sets of conditions that reduce people’s ability to prepare for, withstand, or
respond to a hazard.

- It is the lack of preparedness for potential hazards.

 Capacity – positive condition or abilities which increase a community’s ability to deal with
hazards.
 Risk – the probability that a community’s structure or geographic area is to be damaged or
disrupted by the impact of a particular hazard, on account of its nature, construction, and
proximity to a hazardous area.
Geographic Area – involved area
Proximity - first to get affected/ involved
Disaster Risk = Hazard  Vulnerability  Exposure

2 Major Types of Disaster

Natural Disasters - these originate from the different forces of nature. Natural disasters such as
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, and cyclones affect many countries in Asia, particularly the
Philippines.

Types of Natural Disasters:

Agricultural Diseases and Pests, Storm Surge, Drought and Water Shortage, Earthquake, Hurricanes and
Tropical Storm, Landslide and Debris Flow, Thunderstorms and Lightning, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Wildfires,
Sinkholes, Emergency Diseases, Extreme Heat, Floods and Flash Floods, La Nina.

Human-made – these disasters occur due to people’s actions against humans, materials, and the
environment. These include transport and industrial accidents, such as air and train crashes, chemical
spills and building collapses. Terrorism is also categorized as a human-made disaster.

Types of Human-made Disasters:

Hazardous Material, Power Service and Disruption and Blackout, Nuclear Power Plant and Nuclear Blast,
Radiological Emergency, Chemical Threat and Biological Weapons, Cyber Attacks, Explosion, and Civil
Unrest.
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters:

 Severity of Exposure
 Gender and Family
 Age
 Developing Countries
 Low or Negative Social Support

 Other factors specific to the survivor’s background and resources are important for recovery
from disasters.
 Recovery is worse if survivors:
- We are not functioning well before the disaster
- Have had no experience dealing with it
- Must deal with other stresses after the disaster
- Have poor self-esteem
- Think they are uncared for by others
- Think they have little control over what happens to them
- Lack the capacity to manage stress

 Other Factors have also been found to predict worse outcomes:

- Bereavement (Death of someone else)
- Injury to self or other family members
- Life threat
- Panic, horror, or feel like that during the disaster
- Being separated from family, especially among youth
- Great loss of property
- Displacement (being forced to leave home)

Effects of Natural Disasters on Human Lives:

- Displaced Population
- Health Risks
- Food Scarcity
- Emotional Aftershocks

Areas and Locations Exposed to Hazards

Coastal Areas Storm Surges, Tsunami, or Tidal Waves

Reclaimed Areas Flooding, Sinkhole
Near Fault Areas Earthquake
On Foot of Denuded Mountains Mudslide / Landslide
Near Volcanoes (Danger Zone) Volcanic- Eruption, Pyroclastic Materials, Lahar
Flow, and Ash Fall
River banks and Esteros Flooding / Flash Flood
Open Fields Thunderstorms, Hailstorms, Blizzards
Exposed to Man-Made Hazzard

Near Oil Depots Oil Spills, Pollution

Near Mining Projects Toxic waste, heavy metals, lead, mercury, nitric
acid, etc.
Near Chemical Plants Chemical fumes, chemical waste
Near Nuclear Plants Nuclear waste, possible technical failure, leaks, or
worse accidental explosion
Near Factories Factory Waste, Pollution
Unsafe Building Structures Fire
Public Places in Mega Cities Terrorism

Disaster from Different Perspectives

1. Physical Perspective – facilities, infrastructure, houses

2. Psychological Perspective – psychological aspect, humans, animals

Other Psychological Effects:

- Emotional effects: terror, shock, irritably, blame, anger, guilt, grief, or sadness
- Cognitive effects: impaired concentration, impaired decision-making, ability, memory
impairment, disbelief, confusion, nightmares, decreased self-esteem.
- Physical effects: fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia, cardiovascular strain, increased physical pain,
reduced immune system response, headaches, gastrointestinal upset, decreased appetite,
decreased libido, and vulnerability to illness
- Interpersonal effects: increased relational conflict, social withdrawal, reduced relational
intimacy, alienation, impaired work performance.
3. Socio-Cultural Perspective – what the people living at risk know and do about natural hazards
and disaster risk is mediated by a range of factors including social conditions (such as age,
gender, wealth, ethnicity) and cultural setting (language, beliefs, traditions, customs).
4. Economic Perspective – a natural disaster can be defined as a natural event that causes a
perturbation to the functioning of the economic system, with a significant negative impact on
assets, production factors, output, and employment.
5. Political Perspective – natural disasters are commonly thought to be less politically contentious
than armed conflicts. Yet, a closer look reveals that politics are deeply wedded to both the
impact of a natural disaster and the subsequent delivery and the subsequent delivery of
humanitarian assistance.
6. Environmental Perspective – disasters not only reveal underlying social, economic, political, and
environmental problems but unfortunately contribute to worsening them. Such events pose
serious challenges to development, as they erode hard-earned gains in terms of political, social,
and educational progress, as well as infrastructure and technological development.

Vulnerability – defined as the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system, or asset

that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. As indicated by United Nations
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
 Factors of Vulnerability

1. Demographic Factors (about the people/ population)

A. Population density – the denser the population, the more efficient a response should be
considering the number of people that might be affected by a disaster.
B. Age of Population – very old and very young populations are less mobile and able to
respond to hazardous events well.
C. Distribution of Population – regardless of density, populations may be distributed
differently within a hazard area, e. g elderly people on lower floors of apartment
buildings, or concentrations of highly vulnerable people in poorer areas of a city.
2. Socio-Economic Factors

Wealth – low-income populations are less likely to be well prepared. Part of the preparation is
having a survival kit that includes tools to be used, emergency food stock, and water that could
last for at least 3 to 5 days.

Education – education programs such as the Metro Manila Development Authorities (MMDA)
shake drill can instruct populations on how to deal with hazardous events, like the Big One, the
7.8 magnitude earthquake.

Disaster Management Cycle

Disaster Management is an applied science that seeks systematic observation and analysis of
disasters to improve measures relating to the prevention, mitigation, preparedness, emergency
response, and recovery.

Stages:

- Prevention
- Preparedness
- Emergency Response
- Recovery = Rehabilitation

Mitigation – measures put in place to minimize the results of a disaster.

Examples: building codes and zoning; vulnerability analyses; public education.

Preparedness – planning how to respond.

Examples: preparedness plans; emergency exercises/training; warning systems.

Response – initial actions taken as the event takes place. It involves efforts to minimize the hazards
created by a disaster.

Examples: evacuation; search and rescue; emergency relief

Recovery - returning the community to normal. Ideally, the affected areas should be put into a condition
equal to or better than it was before the disaster took place.

Examples: temporary housing; grants; medical care.

Step 1: Disaster Mitigation

Structural Mitigation – construction projects which reduce economic and social impacts. E. g dams,
windbreaks, terracing, and hazard-resistant buildings.

Non- Structural Activities – policies and practices which raise awareness of hazards or encourage
developments to reduce the impact of disasters.

Disaster Mitigation includes:

 Reviewing building codes

 Vulnerability analysis updates
 Zoning and land-use management and planning
 Reviewing of building use regulations and safety codes
 Implementing preventive health measures
 Political intervention and commitment
 Public Awareness

Strategies: various mitigation strategies or measures. For instance, varieties of crops that are more
wind, flood, or drought resistant can often be introduced in areas prone to floods, drought, cyclones,
and economic diversification.

Step 2: Preparedness

Measure = Intervention

Preparedness measures include:

 Preparedness plans
 Emergency exercises/ training
 Warning systems
 Emergency communication systems
 Evacuations plans and training
 Resource Inventories emergency
 Personnel/contact list
 Mutual aid agreements
 Public information/education

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR)

- It forms the action plan to be implemented before, during, and after disasters.
- The IFRCRCS (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) defines
risk reduction as physical measures to reduce the vulnerability and exposure of
infrastructure to natural hazards as well as to provide coping and adaptive infrastructure
in case of a disaster event.
- Target Groups: specific residential groups
- SKA: skills, knowledge, attitude
 Emergency Operation Plan (EOP)

 Allows the community to respond to threats

 Engages responders in the short-term recovery
 Must be flexible to be valuable in real and potential emergencies
 Does not include the administrative plan, the mitigation strategy, the long-term
recovery, or the standard Operational procedures

Stage 3: Disaster Response

Aim of Disaster Response:

 Evacuation, Migration, Administrating, first-aid, transportation of affected

people to the hospital
 Discuss the restoration of essential services
 Rescue work
 Ideal command Centre
 Modern and traditional methods of response

Disaster Medical Response Phases

-a procedure to be done with rescuers

 Notification (recognition)
 Search and Rescue
 Triage
 Medical care of disaster victims
 Disaster Communications
 Record Keeping (documentation of what happened)
 Transportation and Evacuation
 Debriefing/ CISD (critical incident stress debriefing)

ABC: airway, breathing, and circulation

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Response

 Internal (local) response

 Most effective first 24 hours
 Emergency medical service/s driven
 External Response
 Ultimate responsibility
 May designate a lead agency
 Health, foreign affairs, public works, agriculture, and education

Internal Response Management

Limitations (weaknesses)

 Limited Capacity
  Limited experience and planning
 Lack of large-scale sectoral ability
 Lack of coordination on large scale
 Lack of large-scale finding
 Lack of monitoring
 Limited ability to address prevention and preparedness

External Response Management

Strengths:

 Large-scale assistance
 Expertise in Disaster

Limitations:

 Duplications of services
 Draws from local capacity building
 Non-sustained funding and dependency
 Culturally and socially problematic
 Lack of standardization of NGO response
 Difficult to coordinate and monitor
 Unrealistic expectations of donor assistance
 Local partners over-loader
 Poorly conceptualized plan

Evacuation and Migration

Evacuation/Relocation – involves the relocation of individuals and members of the affected community
from the risk zone to a safer location.

Earthquake Hazards

What is an Earthquake?

The perceptible shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the
Earth’s crust creates seismic waves (United States Geological Science – USGS)

Fault plane - where the ground splits

Hypocenter - where the earthquake originates

- Through the use of a seismograph

- If there
- If there is a start of vibration in that area then there is the hypocenter

Epicenter – depends on the magnitude; where it occurs at the Earth’s surface.

2 Elements: Magnitude – the strength of the earthquake (shaking)

Intensity – depends on the effect of the earthquake

Richter Scale – used to measure the magnitude

Mercalli Scale – used to test intensity (I- XII)

Convergent – towards

Divergent - away

Transform – sliding

Earthquake Hazard

1. Ground Shaking - disruptive up and down, sideways motion experienced during an

earthquake

Measures:

 Velocity of ground motion = directions

 Acceleration of ground motion = speed
 Frequency content off ground motion = times it happened
 Duration = how long it lasts

Three Earthquake Source Zones

 West Valley Fault

 1863 Earthquake (Historical)
 Lubang Fault

1. West Valley Fault

In Cavite, The Big One

When will the Big One happen?

- No one knows, the return period of an earthquake is 200-400 years and large
earthquakes have happened in the West Valley Fault since the 1700s. The last one was
1608 years ago.
2. Ground Rupture and Fissuring – the creation of new or renewed movements of old
fractures, oftentimes with the two blocks on both sides moving in opposite directions.
3. Liquefaction – a process that transforms the behavior of a body of sediment from that of a
solid to that of a liquid.

3 stages: High susceptibility, Low susceptibility, and Moderate susceptibility

4. Tsunami – harbor wave, seismic wave

Japan was the first to experience this disaster.

Tsu = tidal waves

Causes of Tsunami:

 Earthquake
 Volcanic Eruption
 Ice Fall
 Heavy Rainfall
 Cosmic Impact
 Landslides

Signs of an Impending Tsunami:

1. Animal Behavior – zoologists hypothesize that some animal species like elephants can sense
subsonic Rayleigh waves from an earthquake or a tsunami.
2. Drawback
3. Sound Similar to an Incoming Train

The average Height of a Tsunami = is 50-70 ft.

What to do Before, During, and After an Earthquake?

Before:

 Familiarize yourself with harmful areas

 Be careful with things that may harm people
 Identify safe places
 Educate everyone
 Prepare emergency supplies
 Make an evacuation plan

During:

 Duck/drop, cover, and hold on a firm surface or go to the corner of the room
 Cover the occipital area (cognitive sight)
 Hold position until the shaking stops
 Do not immediately proceed to the door, some doors will cause injury

If outdoors:

 When driving, stop the car in an open area and go out

 Do not go near tall buildings to avoid falling debris
 Avoid stopping near buildings, overpasses, bridges, or ramps
 If trapped under debris, cover your mouth with a handkerchief
 Create noises by tapping pipes or walls for rescuers to locate you
 Whistle can also help
After the tremor:

 Listen to battery-operated radio or television for updates on aftershocks

 Stay away from the damaged area
 Stay away from the beach if living in a coastal area
 Be aware of possible tsunamis
 Landslides are also possible
 Do not use phones to call relatives and friends. Authorities may need the lines for emergency
communications.
 Do not use your car and drive around disaster-stricken areas. Rescue and relief operations need
the roads for mobility
 Check your water and electrical lines for defects. If any damage is suspected, turn the system off
in the main valve or switch.

Volcanic Hazards:

Lahars - even if there is no earthquake eruption, there are lahars

- Moves rapidly down valleys like rivers of concrete

- There is a rainfall
- Pick up material as they travel, which can cause damage to the structure in their path
- Lahars and excess sediment cause serious economic and environmental damage to river
valleys and flood plains.
 Lahars can form in several situations
 When small slope collapses gather water on their way down on a volcano
 Through rapid melting of snow and ice during an eruption
 From heavy rainfall on loose volcanic debris
 When a volcano erupts through a crater joke
 When a crater lake drains because off overflow or wall collapse

Ashfall (Ash-flood or Explosive eruption products)

- Volcanic ash consists of fragments of pulverized rock, minerals, and volcanic glass,
created during volcanic eruptions
- Also refer to all explosive eruption products
- Can pose significant disruption and damage to water, buildings, transportation, power
supply, communications equipment, and agriculture.
Pyroclastic Flow
1. Collapse of the eruption column
2. Boiling over from eruptive vents
3. Collapse of lava domes or flows

Tips on how to save your life during a Pyroclastic Flow:

  Evacuate as quickly as possible
 Wear Protection
 Seek Shelter (Underground)
 Wait in your shelter
 Seek medical attention
 Listen to instructions

Volcanic Gasses

- Carbon Dioxide
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Hydrogen Sulfide
- Hydrogen Halides

Lava-flows: the speed at which the lava moves across the ground depends on several factors such as:

1. Type of Lava erupted and its viscosity

2. Steepness of the ground over which it travels
3. Whether the lava flows as a broadsheet, through a confined channel, or down a lava tube.
4. Rate of lava production at the vent

Ballistic Projectiles (happens when it’s an explosion from the volcano)

- Volcanic explosions can propel rock fragments on ballistic trajectories that may differ

The force of impact of falling fragments

Loss of agricultural lands

Producing suspensions of fine-grained particles in air and water.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Nurses

What does CPR stand for?

Cardio, Pulmonary, and Resuscitation

CPR – emergency life-saving medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.

What is Basic Life Support (BLS)?

- life support without the use of special equipment

What is Advanced Life Support (ACLS)?

- life support with the use of special equipment (e.g: airway, endotracheal tube,
defibrillator).
 Definition of Cardiac Arrest – the loss of cardiac function, breathing, and loss of
consciousness.

Diagnosis of Cardiac Arrest (TRIAD)

- loss of odd consciousness

- loss of apical and central pulsations (carotid, femoral)
- apnea = breathlessness

Types of Cardiac Arrest:

1. Asystole (isoelectric line)

2. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
3. Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
4. Pea: pulseless electrical activity

Defibrillation = restart

Causes of Cardiac Arrest:

 Hypoxia (low oxygen)

 Hypotension (low blood pressure)
 Hypothermia (low temperature)
 Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
 Acidosis H+ (low acid)
 Hypokalemia/ electrolyte disturbance (low potassium)
 Cardiac Tamponade
 Tension Pneumothorax
 Thromboembolism (pulmonary coronary)

Normal Body Temp.: 36 to 37.3 D/C

37.3 and up is Hyperthermia

Blood Ph = 7.35 to 7.45

- Blood could be collected from the arteries (pulses) because it carries the oxygenated
blood
- 7.45 and up is alkalosis

4T
1. Cardiac Tamponade (heart)
2. Tension Pneumothorax (lungs)
3. Thromboembolism (clot that could cause stroke)
4. Toxicity (overdose)