Disaster Prevention and Management (Text Format)

FPJ – OPED- Disaster Management

 

Introduction

 

Free Press Journal and Karmayog.org have entered into a collaboration to promote the involvement and empowerment of citizens and citizen groups in civic and social issues. Starting today, the Free Press Journal will provide a column every Tuesday to Karmayog for featuring articles on issues connected with NGOs, civic and social issues in Mumbai. The articles will cover a diverse range of topics ranging from disaster management to public health, improving city governance to senior citizens, profiles of NGOs etc.

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Disaster Prevention and Management

 

Overview of Disaster Management

Today, our lives are increasingly disrupted by disasters, both man-made and natural, to such an extent that we now have to equip ourselves, both at an individual level and at as a city, and nation, to effectively face and overcome such incidences.

 

Broadly disaster management consists of three phases of work: immediate rescue and relief, post-disaster rehabilitation, and long-term mitigation against disasters. The Government has set up several institutes and agencies to train and equip citizens as well as its personnel to deal with adverse situations as well as mitigate the effects of disasters. Prominent amongst these are the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) notified to streamline disaster management functioning, headed by the Prime Minister.  (Website : www.ndmindia.nic.in )

 

A complementary institutional structure is set up at the State and the District levels too. The State Disaster Management Authority is headed by the Chief Minister and this Authority is responsible for preparing the Disaster Management Plans for the State, districts as well as Mumbai.  (for Maharashtra, see

http://mdmu.maharashtra.gov.in/pages/drmprogram/currentstatusShow.php )
In Maharashtra, the UNDP has tied up with the Government of India and is currently implementing a joint GOI-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme.

 

Citizens’ Response

In order to minimize the effects of any disaster, the first level of response at the people’s level is the most critical, and the GOI-UNDP State Unit has prepared a list of basic Do’s and Don’t for individuals faced with various situations in the home, workplace, in transit, etc. in various situations such as an earthquake, floods, etc. Some of the basic instructions are as follows: (full list available at http://www.karmayog.com/disastermgt/dosdontsdisastermgt.htm)

 

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Dos  

For You and Your Family

• Educate your family member in respect of natural and manmade disasters and other crises. In case of your being unaware, take help of Civil Defence and Home Guard organisation and other NGOs. Develop habit in you and your children to spare 1% of you busy time to think about individual security and safety interests.
• Keep the phone numbers of the local police station, police control rooms, fire stations, and schools, colleges, TV station, All India Radio, ambulance services and Chemists for emergency use.
• Guide children to remain at schools in emergency.
• Prepare an emergency kit of items and essentials in the house including essential documents and valuables.
• Store food and water for survival in case you receive a pre-warning.
• Any suspicious incidents observed to be reported to police the on 103. Callers do not have to give their identity on the phone. Information of immediate use be conveyed to control rooms to help early relief.
• Carry your identity card, residential telephone number or address or personal card with you. Have your blood group and any medical allergies recorded with you.
• Check information in case of disasters and crises from ward, civil Defence/Home Guard, and BMC, TV and All India Radio Control room.
• Support authorities and local NGOs.
• Identify scooters, cars, vehicles parked in society and identify vehicles which are unknown and parked for long.
• Organize societies and mohalla committees to educate people.

 

Don’ts

 

·        Do not encourage rumours.

·        Do not blame any community for any crises.

·        Do not encourage communal hatred in such situations.

                                                                                            

Do’s
For Your Place of Work

 

• Your mode of travel by car, bus, train and taxi to be known to your people.
• High rises buildings must check their electric and water supplies and organise periodic mock-up drills for fire fighting and escape routes.
• Drills for bomb blast, threats to be organised and practiced.
• Air/Helicopter evacuation be examined and organised from selected rooftops of high rises.
• Fire fighting equipment be kept serviceable and periodic check is effected.
• Office societies be organised and prepared to coordinate such emergencies of fire brigade, medical help and other assistance. Such people be nominated and they should guide relief.
• Everyone must know use of fire extinguisher in emergency.
• Security guards are trained to coordinate in such crises.

 

Do’s

In Transit

• Be concerned and develop habit of surveillance when out of our house. Check your seat in cinema hall, train, bus and air.
• Look for the objects, baggage, at bus stand, railway stations, compartments, airport, which is unclaimed.
• Unknown vehicles parked at airports, Railway Stations and bus stands have to be kept under surveillance by common citizens, and this alertness may help authorities.
• Bus, trains and airlines passengers who notice any suspicious behaviour of co-passengers, be brought to the notice of officials,
• Every passenger should identify a friend or relations residence in case of requirement of staying away in emergency. The family should know about such a plan.

Don’t

• Do not touch any suspicious object. Report to concerned people.
• Do not crowd the object.
• Passengers should not accept parcels from unknown persons in hurry while boarding train or bus.

 

A Guide to Prepare Community For Surviving Earthquake In Urban Areas

Before the Earthquake

It is essential that we are prepared for a earthquake. Seismic experts do not rule out the possibility of an earthquake anywhere in Maharashtra including Mumbai. We don’t know when this will happen.

When an earthquake occurs, your first warning may be a shaking sensation if you are in a building. It may also be followed with a sudden noise or roar. You may find yourself completely topsy-turvy. It may be a scary situation! It may last a few seconds or go on for a few minutes. Breaking glass, and things falling around could hurt you. Be prepared for aftershocks. We can’t prevent an earthquake. But we can:

• Be prepared by injury.
•  Be prepared to manage our survival afterwards for at least 72 hours without help.
• Your family preparedness for such a situation is a must. You must prepare and practice what to do during and after an earthquake.
• Plan your needs in such a situation. Write down and exercise your safety plan.
• Know the safe and dangerous places in your home.  

Safe: -Under heavy tables or desks, inside corridor, corners of rooms or archways.

Dangerous: – Near window or mirrors, under any objects that can fall, the kitchen-where the stove, refrigerator or contents of cupboards may move violently, doorways, because the shaking may slam the door on you. Practice taking cover.  

• Train members of your family to use fire extinguisher
• Plan and practice evacuation.
• Talk to your children about the earthquake: what to do if they are at home, at school, if the quake separates your family.
• Arrange an alternative family place if your present area is out of bound. Each family member should carry the contact phone number and address.
• Remind your family to relay on emergency authorities for guidance. Broadcast reports on radio and television will have instructions.  
• Make sure each member of your family knows how to shut off the utilities-gas, electricity and water. (Don’t shut off the gas unless there is a leak or a fire. If the gas is turned off, don’t turn it on again-that must be done by a qualified technician.) 
• Your plan should include a list of where emergency supplies and equipment are stored.
• Share your emergency plan with neighbours.                                    

 

During the Earthquake  

Preparations for an earthquake include knowing what to do while it is happening.  By learning and practicing what you should try to do, you will be more able to remain calm enough to protect yourself and help others.  Know what to do, wherever you are.  In summary, you should take cover and stay there.

• If you’re inside your home, stay there.  Get out of the kitchen safer places are inside hall, in corners, in archways.  Take cover under a heavy table, desk or any solid furniture that you can get under and hold onto.  Protect your head and face.  Doors may slam on you if you are in a doorway.  Avoid areas near windows.
• If you are in a yard outside your home, stay there and get clear of buildings and wires that could fall on you.
• Don’t go outside where you may be hit by falling debris – pavements next to tall buildings are particularly dangerous.
• Avoid lifts – if you are in a lift when an earthquake happens, press all floors buttons and get out when you can.  High – rise residents will hear fire alarms go off and electricity may fail.
• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to the side (leave the road clear) away from bridges, over bridges and buildings.  Stay in your vehicle.
• If you are in a crowed public place, take cover and watch that you don’t get trampled.  In shopping centers, take cover in the nearest store and keep away form windows, neon signs and display shelves of heavy objects.
• Remain in protected place until the shaking stops.  Anticipate after shocks – they may occur after the first quake.
• Try to remain calm and help others.

                                                                     

After the earthquake

 

Preparation of an earthquake also include knowing what to do and not do, after the shaking stops-when there is a danger from aftershocks, fire, falling building materials, debris, etc. Remain calm. You may have to take charge of others. Take care of life threatening situations first. Remember, you may be on your own for 72 hours or more.

• Check your home for structural damage and other hazards.
• Check yourself and others nearby for injuries-administer first aid quickly and carefully.
• If you are evacuating, locate and take your pack of emergency supplies with you.
• Use a torch to check utilities and not shut them off unless damaged. Leaking gas will smell. Don’t light matches or turn on light switches-until you are sure there are no gas leaks or flammable liquids.
• Wear sturdy shoes, if there’s debris, particularly broken glass.
• Check your neighbour’s after looking your own family. Your first help after and earthquake usually will come from family and friends.
• Confine frightened pets.
• Don’t flush toilets if you suspects nearby sewer lines are broken.
• Carefully cleanup any spilled hazardous material.
• Secure your home against intruders.
• Turn on your battery-power radio (or car radio) and listen for broadcast emergency instructions.
• Don’t use your telephone, expect it an extreme emergency.
• Don’t use your vehicle, expect in an extreme emergency.
• Stay at least ten meters away from downed power lines.

 

 

 

 

Announcements related to the Rehabilitation efforts underway for Mumbai Blast victims and their families:

 

1. Financial Aid

 

Families of the Victims who died in the blasts on July 11 may approach Suresh
Kare – Indoco Foundation. The Foundation is providing Rs 10,000 per annum
towards the schooling expenses of the victims’ children up to std X for
details. Call 26541851 or email sharon@info.com

 

2. Treatment for those with affected hearing

Ajay Kothari, ENT surgeon of KOSHISH, will provide free treatment to all those hearing was affected in the serial blasts of July 11. For details, contact KOSHISH, Centre for the Care of Deaf, Koshish Lane, behind Dena Bank, Daftary Road, Malad (East), or call 2844 6448.

 

3. Trauma Counselling

 

Counsellors with the Bapu Trust, – a mental health advocacy and research centre in Mumbai and Pune, are offering free trauma counselling and treatment for those affected by the Mumbai Rail blasts. They can be contacted at 25443384 or at baputrust.mumbai@gmail.com

 

4. Assistance with Insurance Claims

Shri Rajiv Chaudhary, who is running an Insurance Agency since some time has offered to assist families in getting their insurance claims settled. Those who would like to know any further information related to the claims process, forms required, etc. can contact Shri Chaudhary at rajiv@riseup.net or at 9869056270

 

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The content for this section is provided by Karmayog.org, a website begun by the Shri R. O. Somani Charitable Trust , 2nd floor, Shreeniwas House, (Behind Bombay Gymkhana) H. Somani Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001. Tel: 2200 0004 / 2200 0478 Fax: 2203 5410 Contact Person: Vinay Somani Email: info@karmayog.org

Website: www.karmayog.org 

Karmayog is the Convening NGO of the NGO Council.