Download - Earthquake Disaster Preparedness Plan
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P L A N
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DISASTERPREPAREDNESSPLAN
EARTHQUAKES
Earthquakes can bring mild to violentshaking and can occur anytime, anywhere.
This guide can help you protect yourself,your family, and your property before,
during, and after an earthquake.
It is important to make sure that theentire family is prepared and informed
in the event of a disaster oremergency. You may not always be
together when these events take placeand should have plans for making sure
you are able to contact and find oneanother.
Although the consequences of variousdisasters can be similar, knowing the
risks in your region can help you betterprepare. Here in the Philippines, we face
a number of hazards, such as floods inmany provinces, earthquakes in Bohol,
Cebu, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Siquijor,and Guimaras. In addition to natural
disasters, there are other types of risks,such as power outages and industrial or
transportation accidents.
KNOW THE RISK WHAT: An earthquake is
the sudden, rapid shakingof the earth, caused by the
breaking and shifting ofsubterranean rock as itreleases strain that has
accumulated over a longtime. Initial mild shaking
may strengthen andbecome extremely violentwithin seconds. Additional
earthquakes, calledaftershocks, may occurfor hours, days, or even
months. Most are smallerthan the initial earthquake
but larger magnitudeaftershocks also occur.
WHEN:Earthquakes can
happen at anytime of the
year and occurwithout
warning.WHERE:
The risk is higherin seismic zones.
IMPACT:Largerearthquakes may
cause
deaths, injuries, andextensive property
damage. Most casualtiesand injuries during an
earthquake occur when:people fall while trying to
walk or run during theshaking; when they arehit by falling, flying, or
sliding household itemsor non-structural debris;
and/or when they arestruck or trapped by
collapsing walls or otherparts of the building.
Transportation, power,water, gas, and other
services may be disrupted.In some areas, shaking
can cause liquefaction—
MAKE A PLAN Plan how to meet or how to contact one
another, and discuss what you would do.
Get information from your municipality andprovince/territory about their emergency
plans.
A.) Neighborhood Safety Plan-Work with your neighbors to identify who
may need extra help during an emergency. Tomake sure everyone is taken care of, assign
"block buddies".
B.) Emergency Exits-Draw up a floor plan of your house that showspossible exits from each room. Plan a main exit
route from each room. If you living in anapartment, USE STAIRS, NOT ELEVATORS.
C.) Meeting placesIdentify safe places where everyone shouldmeet if you cannot go home or you need to
evacuate.
HOUSEHOLDPLAN
This pageprovides anoverview ofprotective
actions to takebefore, during,
and after anearthquake.
NOTE: These adhesives, straps, hooks, latches, andother safety devices are available at most hardware
and homeimprovement stores as well as online retailers.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THAT ANEARTHQUAKE IS HAPPENING You may experience a shaking or a rollingmotion in the walls, floor, or ground. This
movement may grow more extreme withinseconds. If you do not DROP down
immediately, you may be knocked off yourfeet. You may not be able to walk or run.
Objects may fall off shelves, light fixturesmay swing or fall from ceilings, or tall
furniture may fall over. There may be dustor glass particles in the air or on the
ground. You may hear noises similar to aheavy truck or train passing nearby.
NOTE: These adhesives, straps, hooks,latches, and other safety devices are
available at most hardware and homeimprovement stores as well as online
retailers.
PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE ANEARTHQUAKE
PRACTICE Everyone
should know what to do inan earthquake and should
practice how to Drop,Cover, and Hold On.
GATHER CRITICAL DOCUMENTSOnce the
immediate danger passes,having your legal, financial,
and medical documentswill help you to receive
assistance and work withyour insurance company.
Take time now to safeguardcritical documents and
take pictures or videos ofyour belongings.
DISCUSS Talking about
disasters and helpingothers prepare makes
everyone safer. Discusswhat you have done to
prepare with your family,friends, neighbors, and
colleagues. STOREGather and store
the basic supplies yourfamily would need for at
least three days if grocerystores and other servicesare unavailable, if poweris out, or you are unableto stay in your home. A
sustained power outagecan have a significantimpact on people who
require electricity to powermedical equipment.
DROP COVER HOLD
PROTECT YOURSELF DURING ANEARTHQUAKE
PROTECT YOURSELF AFTER ANEARTHQUAKE
Once the shaking has stopped, wait a minutebefore getting up and then look around for debrisor other dangers. If you are able to safely move toexit the building and there is an open space to go
to, exit the building and avoiddamaged areas and downed power lines. For
buildings in metropolitan areas that do not havenearby open space,
it may be safer to remain in the building until youare certain you will avoid additional glass and
debris that may fallfrom nearby buildings. Remember aftershocks
may cause further damage to weakened structuresand present
hazards to those exiting buildings. Drop, Cover,and Hold On whenever you feel shaking.
Earthquakes can destroy or makebuildings and roads unsafe.
• Use extreme caution around debris. Donot attempt to remove heavy debris byyourself and assist with rescues only if
you can do so safely.
• Wear protective clothing, including along-sleeved shirt, long pants, workgloves, and sturdy, thick soled shoes
during clean-up. These will protect youfrom further injury from broken glass,
exposed nails, or other objects.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if itis wet or you are standing in water.
• Photograph or take a video of damageto your property to assist with filing an
insurance claim.
• Know that this will be an emotionaltime and it is normal to feel a little blue.
Seek help for yourself or others ifdepression or anxiety persists or seemsout of proportion for the circumstances.
• Expect aftershocks. These additional
earthquakes are usually less violent thanthe main quake but can be strong enoughto further damage weakened structures.
They can occur in the first hours, days,weeks, or even months after the quake.
Be ready to protect yourself.
REFERENCES: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-
data/1408632135401-3d0521fa59d0dd4016e82f08fe7f3732/PrepareAthon_EARTHQUAKES_HTG_FINAL_508.pdf
http://www.ready.gov/earthquakeshttp://www.fema.gov/media-library-
data/a260e5fb242216dc62ae380946806677/FEMA_plan_child_508_071513.pdf
http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/0e3ef555f66e22ab832e284f826c2e9e/FE
MA_plan_parent_508_071513.pdfhttps://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3234
http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan