4. Disaster
There is no generally accepted definition of disasters.
Everyday use “I had a disaster of a day”
Dictionary definition
“A sudden calamitous event producing great material damage,
loss and distress”
• “A serious disruption to community life which threatens or causes death or
injury in that community, and damage to property which is beyond the day-
to-day capacity of the prescribed statutory authorities and which requires
special mobilization and organisation of resources other than those
normally available to those authorities.”
5. Definitions
• A disaster is a serious disruption occurring over a short or long period of time
that causes widespread human, material, economic or environmental loss which
exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own
resources.
• Sudden or unforeseen development of a situation, leading to unexpected
consequences pertaining to damages or loss.
Developing countries suffer the greatest costs when a disaster hits – more than
95 percent of all deaths caused by hazards occur in developing countries, and
losses due to natural hazards are 20 times greater in developing countries than
industrialized countries.
6. TYPES OF DISASTER
All disasters are related to specific hazards and the hazards may
be categorized.
(1) Natural
(2) Mixed (Natural + Man Made)
(3) Man Made
8. 2) Mixed Natural + human caused
• Drought
• Desertification
• Floods
• Erosion
• Landslides/mudslides
• Fire
• Health related
– Infectious disease
– Genetic
– Other
9. 3) Man-made (Human caused)
Technological
Release of substances (Chemicals,
Biological, Nuclear)
Transport
Structural failure
Explosions
Fire
Environmental interference
Other
Conflict
Armed conflict
• Conventional war
• Armed conflict/Civil conflict
• Complex human emergency
• Terrorism
• Other
Unarmed conflict (Sanctions,
embargos)
10. Disaster Management Plan
• For meeting the emergencies
caused by major accidents,
planning response strategies
are termed as Disaster
Management Plans (DMPs) /
Emergency Management
Plans (DMPs).
11. Disaster Management Plan cont.
• The Disaster Management Plan envisages the need for providing
appropriate action so as to minimize loss of life/property and for
restoration of normally within the minimum time.
12. Emergency
• Emergency is: Potentially life-threatening situation, usually occurring
suddenly and unexpectedly.
• Immediate response is essential
• Speed in responding can mean the difference between life and death or
between minimal damage and major damage.
• Preparation is planning for emergencies. (Plan, practice, evaluate, adjust).
13. Emergency Classification
• The emergencies are classified as:
1. Construction Hazard
2. Natural Hazard
3. Operational Hazard DMPs / EMPs cannot be
considered as a substitute for maintaining good
safety standards.
14. Emergency Management
• Emergency management is a comprehensive system set up to address
and handle natural and man-made hazards.
• It has four parts:
1. Prevention / Mitigation
2. Preparedness
3. Response
4. Recovery
15.
16. Purpose of Emergency Planning
• Minimize damage.
• Ensure the safety of staff, customers/ clients and Public.
• Protect vital records/assets.
• Provide for continuity of operations.
17. Phases in Emergencies
• Generally, the following five phases are involved in an emergency:
1. Discovery and Notification.
2. Evaluation and Accident Control Initiation.
3. Containment and Counter Measures.
4. Cleanup and Disposal.
5. Documentation.
18. Phases in Emergencies
1. Discovery and Notification
An event with an imminent threat of turning into an accident must first be discovered
and the discoverer should quickly notify the same to the safety officer.
2. Evaluation and Accident Control Initiation.
Based on the evaluation of available information, the safety officer makes a rapid
assessment of the severity of the likely accident and initiates the best course of action.
3. Containment and Counter Measures.
Action is first taken to contain and control the accident by eliminating the causes which
may lead to the spread of accident. Measures are also taken to minimize the damage
to personnel, property and environment.
19. Phases in Emergencies cont.
4. Cleanup and Disposal.
After the accident is effectively contained and controlled, the cleanup of the site of the
accident and safe disposal of waste generated due to the accident are undertaken.
5. Documentation
All aspects of accidents, must be documented for subsequent analysis for prevention in
future, damage estimation, insurance recovery and compensation payment.
It may be noted that photographs, survey reports, main objects involved in the
accident, etc. may have to be carried out before the cleanup and disposal phase.
However, the effort in all cases is to recommence the operation as soon as possible.
20. Emergency Classification
• Severity of accident and its likely impact area will determine the level of
emergency and the disaster management plan required for appropriate
handling of an emergency.
Level 1 Emergency:
A local accident with likely impact only to immediate surroundings of accident site,
such as, local fires, and limited release of inflammable material.
The impact distance may not be more than 15 m from the site of primary accident and
may require evacuation of the building/area where accident occurred and utmost the
adjacent building/area.
21. Level 2 Emergency:
A major accident with potential threats to life and property up to 500 m distance
requiring the evacuation of all personnel from the threatened area except the
emergency response personnel. Larger fires, release of large quantities of inflammable
materials may belong to emergency level 2.
Level 3 Emergency:
An accident involving a very serious hazard and with likely impact area extending
beyond 500 m from the operational area such as, major fire, flood, very large release
of inflammable material etc. In a level 3 emergency, evacuation of population in
adjacent villages, may sometime become necessary if threatened area extend to
adjoining the site of the primary accident in a direction of maximum impact.
22. Emergency Classification cont.
• On-site Disaster Management Plan (DMP) will meet the hazards
created due to all Level 1 emergencies and most of the Level 2
emergencies.
• In addition to on-site DMP, off-site DMP may also have to be put into
operation for some Level 2 emergencies and all the Level 3
emergencies.
23. Organization and Coordination Responses to emergencies include:
• Medical personnel
• Fire-fighting personnel
• Security personnel
• Safety personnel
• Specialists from different fields
Keys to success in an emergency
One person is In-charge
Everyone involved knows who is in charge
Everyone who has a role in responding to an emergency is given ample
opportunities to practice in simulated conditions that come as close as possible to
real conditions.
24. Important elements in the Disaster Management Plan
1. Reliable and early detection of an emergency and careful planning
2. The command, co-ordination, and response organization structure
along with efficient trained personnel
3. The availability of resources for handling emergencies
4. Appropriate emergency response actions
5. Effective notification and communication facilities
6. Regular review and updating of the EMP
7. Proper training of the concerned personnel.
25. Infrastructure for Disaster Management Plan
1. First aid boxes
2. Gas masks
3. Telephone line with STD facility
4. Loud hailers
5. Emergency lighting system
6. Stretchers
7. Transport facility
8. Fire-fighting machinery
9. Fire-tenders
10. Ambulance
26. Assembly Points for Disaster Management Plan
• Assembly points are to be set up farthest from the location of likely
hazardous events, where pre- designated persons would assemble in
case of emergency
• The location near to the entrance gate is one of the safest place. This
can be the assembly point.
27. Communication System for Disaster Management Plan
• Different types of alarms to differentiate types of emergencies should be
provided
• In case of failure of siren, placards of various colors should be used to
indicate the situations
• If everything fails, a messenger should be used for sending the information
and the various placards mentioned would also be used.
• Alarms should be followed by announcement over Public Address System.
In case of failure of alarm system, communication should be by telephone,
Walkie-talkie etc.
28. Emergency Services for Disaster Management Plan
• Emergency Services includes fire-fighting system, first aid center, hospital
etc.
• Alternate sources of power supply for operating fire- pumps,
communication with local bodies, fire-brigade etc. should also be clearly
identified.
• Adequate number of external and internal telephone connections should
be installed.
29. • Fire Protection System for Disaster Management Plan Depending
upon the size of the construction site, the minimum fire protection
system should be place.
1. Hydrant system for all the vulnerable areas of the site (Wherever possible)
2. Portable carbon-dioxide extinguishers for the control room and electrical
sheds
3. Portable fire extinguishers of suitable types/ capacities for extinguishing
small fires in selected areas of the plant.
30.
31.
32. • Evacuation Map for Disaster Management Plan Maps showing
evacuation routes shall be displayed should be displayed at
prominent places.
• The map should contain the site related details such as:
1. Emergency escape routes
2. Location of emergency medical services
3. Location of dangerous substances
4. Seat of emergency contact key personnel
5. Location of emergency control room
6. The parking points of Ambulances and Fire-fighting vehicles.
33.
34.
35. Other important elements in Disaster Management Plan
• The emergency plan will have the key personnel of the organisation and
responsibilities assigned to them in case of an emergency and their contact
particulars
• Depend on the severity of the emergency outside agency will be called for
the assistance. Details of such emergency services should be displayed at
prominent areas
• The safety equipment installed and fire-fighting equipment available will be
mentioned in the detailed DMP.
36.
37. Disaster Management Plan
• The emergency management plan gives a broad idea of the detailed
emergency preparedness in case of an accident
• The Emergency Management Plan (EMP) envisages the need for
providing appropriate action so as to minimize loss of life/property
and for restoration of normalcy within the minimum time. Adequate
manpower, training and infrastructure shall achieve this.
