Earthquake preparedness and response

Earthquake preparedness and
response in Bangladesh
Lecture on
Md. Abdullah-Al-Mahbub
 Assistant Professor
 Assistant Proctor
 Director, External Affairs (Former)
 Assistant Provost (Former)
Dept. of Disaster Management
Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur
Course code: 3201
Title: Disaster Forecasting & Preparedness

1. Earthquake Overview
1.1 Definition of Earthquake
1.2 Earthquake associated hazards
1.3 Disaster management cycle
2. Level of earthquake preparedness
2.1 Individual preparedness
2.1.1 Before an earthquake
2.1.2 During an earthquake
2.1.3 After an earthquake
2.2 Government preparedness about how to respond an earthquake
2.3 Volunteer group preparedness
2.4 Coordination
3. Conclusion

Earthquake is
the vibration or shaking of Earth’s surface
cause by seismic waves
generated by a sudden release of energy from inside the earth
due to tectonic activity.
1.1 Definition
Earthquake preparedness and response in Bangladesh

• Ground displacement (only along a fault)
• Damage to buildings

• Disrupt electric service & Fire
• Damage to bridges
• Landslide • Avalanches

• Tsunami
A seiche is a standing wave in an
enclosed or partially enclosed body of
water.
It observed on lakes, reservoirs,
swimming pools, bays, harbours and
seas.
• Flooding caused by tsunami
• seiche

Animation

Meaning of
‘Preparedness’
‘Risk’ and
‘Risk reduction’

Earthquake preparedness + Risk + Risk reduction
……….the chance that
somebody may be
harmed by a disaster.
Earthquake preparedness
……….is a set of measures taken to minimize
the effects of an earthquake.
…….the steps and plans you take
to make sure you are safe before, during and after an
earthquake.
Risk

Risk reduction
……the practice
of reducing disaster risks
through systematic efforts.
Earthquake preparedness + Risk + Risk reduction

2.1 Individual or sufferers’ preparedness
1. Check for hazards in the home/office
2. Identify safe places indoors and outdoors
3. Educate yourself and family members
4. Prepare an emergency supply kit
5. Make an emergency communication plan
6. Help your community get ready

 Locate safe spots and danger
zones in each room of your
home.
 Make sure beds and sitting place
are away from heavy mirrors,
large pictures, bookcases, or
shelves.
A. Check for hazards in the home

 Use earthquake-proof picture hooks to secure wall hangings
such as mirrors and pictures to walls.

 Fasten/bolts standing tall and heavy objects i.e., almirah,
showcase, refrigerator etc. securely to walls

 Place large or heavy or
breakable items on lower
shelves.
such as bottled foods, glass,
ceramic objects, flammable
products

 Secure/lock all wheeled objects so they cannot roll.

 Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or wall or foundations.
Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.

 Repair defective electrical wiring
 Repair leaky gas connections

 Identify safe exit routes from each room in your home and
 Move heavy objects away from exit routes.

B. Identify safe places indoors and outdoors
Practice …….
Under sturdy furniture
such as a heavy desk or
table.
Identify safe places away
from where glass could
shatter around windows,
mirrors, pictures…..

C. Educate yourself and family members
Hold a family meeting and
create an emergency action
plan. Practice this plan.
Teach all family members how
and when to turn off electricity,
gas, and water.

Water
Store one gallon of water per person per day.
Store water in plastic containers.
Avoid glass containers that may break.
D. Prepare an emergency supply of water, food, kit
Plastic containers
Glass containers

Food
 Store at least a three-day supply of
non-perishable food for each person.
 Pick foods that require no
refrigeration, preparation or cooking
and little or no water.
 Store high energy foods such as jelly,
canned juices, milk pack, soup,
cookies, candy, etc.

Food
 Store special food for
infants, elderly persons, or
persons on special diets.

Tools and supplies First aid kit
Radio
Flashlight
Whistle Dust mask &
work gloves
Wrench
Lighter
Sturdy shoes
Blankets
D. Prepare an emergency supply kit

Important family documents
The following records or photocopies keep in a waterproof,
portable container:
 Passports, will, deeds, stocks, I.D. cards, social insurance cards and driving
license.
 Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
 Bank account numbers, bonds, credit card, insurance and company numbers.
 Warranty cards of valuable household goods.
 Emergency contact list (including out-of-state contact).
 Prescription list for each family member.

Special items
 Baby supplies (formula, powdered milk, bottles, diapers).
 Prescription drugs (e.g., heart and high blood pressure medications, insulin).
 Feminine sanitary supplies.
 Personal hygiene items i.e., toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste and soap
etc.
 Entertainment (books, games, toys, etc. for both children and adults).

Plan
In case family members are at work or are at school, develop a
plan for reuniting after the disaster. Choose two places to meet
after a disaster.
Learn
Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn
off utilities such as electricity, water and gas.
Practice
E. Make an emergency communication plan

 Drop to the ground, take cover by getting underneath a sturdy desk
or table even a chair, and hold on until the shaking stops.
 If it moves, move with it until the shaking stops.
1. If you’re indoors (in a building / class room / work place)

 If there is not a table or desk near you, cover your face and head
with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

 If you are on the bed/sofa set,
stay there. Try your best to
hold on to your bed and
protect your head with a
pillow until the shaking stops.
 Stay indoors. Trying to leave a building is very risky and
falling debris outside accounts for many injuries.

 Avoid heavy standing objects
such as a bookcases, filing
cabinets, etc.
 Don’t try to hold things up,
move away from them.

 Move away from glass
doors and windows
which can shatter.
 Do not use the elevators.

2. If you are outdoors,
If you cannot safely move to these areas, stay where you are and cover your neck
and head with your arms.

4. If you’re driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop.
Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards.
Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.

5. If you’re in a crowded store or other public place, do not rush for
exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that could
fall.

7. If you’re in the kitchen, move away from the refrigerator, stove, and
overhead cupboards. (Take time NOW to anchor appliances and install
security latches on cupboard doors to reduce hazards.)
8. If you’re in a stadium or theater, stay in your seat and protect your
head with your arms. Do not try to leave until the shaking is over. Then
leave in a calm, orderly manner. Avoid rushing toward exits.
6. If you’re in a wheelchair, stay in it. Move to cover, if possible, lock
your wheels, and protect your head with your arms.

1. Check yourself and others for injuries. Give first aid as necessary. Call
ambulance if you or someone else needs immediate medical
assistance. If the phone lines are not working, try using a cell phone.
2. Be prepared for aftershocks and plan where you will take cover when
they occur.
3. Avoid broken glass. Remain calm and reassure others.
4. Stay out and away from damaged buildings and areas. You could get
hurt by broken glass and falling objects.

5. Check for fire. Take appropriate actions and precautions.
6. Check gas, water and electric lines. If damaged, shut off service. If you
smell gas, find out what to do. Don’t use matches, flashlights,
appliances or electric switches. Open windows, leave building and
report to gas company.
7. Use mobile phone for emergency calls only.
8. Tune to the emergency broadcast station on radio or television. Listen
for emergency bulletins.

2.2 Government preparedness
about
how to respond an earthquake

A. Search and rescue
2.2 Government preparedness after an earthquake

Search and rescue involves 3 interrelated actions:
(1) Locating victims; (2) Extracting (rescuing)
victims from trapped
condition; &
(3) Providing initial
first aid treatment to
stabilize victims
Once disaster response begins,
the first priority is saving lives.

Average citizens, victims’ friends, family, and neighbors, perform the
majority of search and rescue in the initial minutes and hours of a
disaster. Because, they know the location of victims.
At the same time Army, police, fire fighter & other volunteer
organizations perform search & rescue operation.
It has been estimated that half of those rescued are rescued in the first 6
hours after a disaster happens (with only 50% of those who remain trapped
beyond 6 hours surviving; BBC, 1999), so the contribution of ordinary citizens
is significant. That’s why we should train ordinary citizen.

Disaster managers must find a way to quickly locate the injured victims,
provide them with the first aid, and transport them to specialists doctors’
for better medical assistance.
B. First Aid Medical Treatment

After earthquakes strike,
VICTIMS, however, must still drink water, eat Food, and find shelter if they
are to survive.
So, disaster manager need to begin assisting them immediately.
C. Provision of Water, Food, & Shelter

Water is used for drinking, washing, cleaning and just about any
activity we care to do. Without water, living is virtually impossible.
Disaster managers
must first determine
how many victims are
without water
where they are located
Health importance of water
Water is absolutely critical to our body
 our body comprises about 75%
water;
 the brain has 85%,
 blood 90%,
 lungs 90%,
 muscles 75%,
 kidney 82% and even
 bones has 22%.
Basically, we are made of water!

Immediate water needs can be met by:
Trucking in water in tanker trucks
Transporting bottled water
Pumping water
Moving the population to another
location where water is available
Providing filters

Food may be distributed by “wet” and “dry” forms:
 Dry
distribution.
Provide uncooked ingredients, usually in bulk (e.g., a
week’s or month’s worth of supplies), that victims take back
to their homes or shelters to cook.
Advantages: victims can use only as much as they need at a time.
 Wet
distribution.
 Provide prepared meals, usually 2 or 3 times per day.
 large-capacity, centralized cooking facilities (kitchens)
must be established and stocked with adequate serving
and eating utensils and staff.
 provides greater control of food stocks and increases the
chance that meals are eaten regularly.

Stadiums, schools, auditoriums etc. may be used for temporary “Shelter”.
Shelter can be of 3 categories :
 Interim (or Temporary) Housing:
o Typically provides more comforts to carry out a normal life until
permanent housing can be provided.
o Occupants can live here for a year or longer.
 Transitional Housing:
o The emergency shelter can either be converted into permanent shelter,
or can be disassembled into its base construction materials and used to
build the permanent house.
o The most costly of the three options.
 Emergency Housing:
o Typically provide a temporary, safe shelter until the situation stabilizes.
o It is small in terms of space (like a school gymnasium)., provides little
privacy or comfort
o It is suitable for up to 60 days.

 Disaster managers must establish emergency health care operations to
accommodate the health needs of the affected population.
 The immediate health needs are likely to be emergency first aid.
 Medical supplies will also be needed, including surgical and treatment
tools and supplies, sterilization supplies and equipment, vaccines, and
drugs.
 Once victims are found infected with a particular disease, monitoring
programs are established to watch those individuals.

Tasks to prevent outbreaks from disease include:
 Rapid assessment. involves identifying the communicable
disease threats faced by the affected population, epidemic
potential, and defining the population’s health status.
 Prevention. Communicable diseases may be prevented by maintaining healthy
physical, environmental, and general living conditions.
 Surveillance (observation/examination). Rapid response to disease outbreaks is
only possible if a strong disease surveillance system is set up and designed with an
early warning mechanism to ensure the early reporting of cases and the
monitoring of disease trends.
 Outbreak control. Adequate preparedness and rapid response can help to control
outbreak.
 Disease management. By Prompt diagnosis and treatment, with the help of
trained staff using effective treatment and standard protocols at all health
facilities, .

a. Collection and disposal of human waste.
Wastewater are generated during cooking, washing, &
bathing. Failure to manage wastewater results in
stagnant, unsanitary pools that become breeding
grounds for mosquitoes.
Management: by establishing proper drainage systems.
 To manage garbage, it should provide collection points.
 Garbage collection & disposal must be planned and regularly
 It should be buried or burned far from any shelters, with special
treatment.
Disaster Managers must be addressed the primary sanitation issues by:
b. Wastewater management
c. Garbage management

Vector control
Failing to control vectors may have catastrophic consequences.
Mosquito-, louse-, and rodent-borne diseases will spiral out of control.
Food and water stocks will quickly become contaminated and lost.
Disaster Managers must be addressed the primary sanitation issues by:

If the dead bodies left in the open space, it contributes to disease among the
living, and become a breeding ground for vectors.
Search and recovery of corpses
Corpses (Dead body) may be buried under rubble, soil.

Many NGOs and GO groups maintain a cadre of trained and vetted
volunteers.
Spontaneous volunteers—are people who are not associated with any
recognized disaster response agency, but who appear at the scene of a
disaster eager to offer assistance.
Volunteer groups across the country provide aid and
comfort to disaster victims.

2.4 Coordination

Coordination has been found to be most effective when local
government administrators, emergency managers, or
chief executives of the fire, police or army department maintain
leadership at the most local level. They may work together…….
2.4 Coordination

Preparedness is the most essential
phases disaster management cycle…..
Preparedness can minimize the effects of
earthquake, save life and properties.

[1] R.E. Abercrombie, T.H. Webb, R. Robinson, P.J. McGinty, J.J. Mori, R.J. Beavan, The enigma of the
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand, earthquake: 1. Reconciling a variety of data for an unusual earthquake
sequence, J. Geophys. Res.: Solid Earth 105 (B7) (2000) 16119–16137.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2000jb900008.
[2] N. Barr, J. Zeldis, C. Gongol, L. Drummond, K. Scheuer, Effects of the Canterbury Earthquakes on
Avon–Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai Macroalgae, report prepared for Environment Canterbury and
Christchurch City Council by NIWA, Report No. R12/91, 2012.
[3] H.L. Brackley, Review of liquefaction hazard information in eastern Canterbury, including Christchurch
City and parts of Selwyn, Waimakariri and Hurunui Districts, Report prepared for Environment
Canterbury by Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science) Report No. R12/83,
GNS Science Consultancy Report 2012/218, 2012.
[4] Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act, No 12 Stat., 2011. [5] CERA, Canterbury Wellbeing Index,
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2013, (PUB145.1306).
[6] CERA, CBD Rebuild Zone: The History of the CBD Red Zone , 〈http://cera.govt. nz/cbd-rebuild-zone〉,
2014 (retrieved 6 June 2014).
[7] S.E. Chang, J.E. Taylor, K.J. Elwood, E. Seville, D. Brunsdon, M. Gartner, Urban disaster recovery in
Christchurch: the central business district cordon and other critical decisions, Earthquake Spectra 30 (1)
(2014) 513–532.
[8] H.A. Cowan, The North Canterbury earthquake of September 1, 1888, J. R. Soc. N. Z. 21 (1) (1991) 1–
12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03036758.1991.10416105.

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