Environment and Community Awareness Education
Environment and Community Awareness Education
AWARENESS EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION
Source: phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
It lies in the path of turbulent typhoons, with about 20 crossing the Philippine
area of responsibility, of which an average of 9 makes a landfall. The
archipelagic nature of the Philippine coastal areas increases susceptibility to
storm surges, tsunamis and sea level changes.
The country undergoes floods and landslides which are common due to rain
brought by typhoons and the monsoon. Located in the western part of the
Pacific Ocean, the country is also vulnerable to the El Niño Southern Oscillation
(ENSO). The El Niño of 1997-98 induced drought and delayed the onset of
monsoon, which resulted to a scarcity in drinking water in urban areas and
shortfalls in hydro-electricity generation because of reduced water levels in
major dams.
Disaster happens when there are progressive or sudden events brought about by natural or
human-induced hazards that cause losses and sufferings, the consequence of which results to
people and communities undertaking extra-ordinary measures to cope with impacts.
Hazards are natural or man-induced phenomena or activities of which poses a threat to people’s
lives, limbs, properties and socio-economic conditions.
Risks refer to the degree or chance and frequency that such hazards will affect or impact people
and communities.
Disaster Preparedness refers to pre-disaster actions and measures being undertaken to overt or
minimize loss of lives and properties, such as, but not limited to , community organizing, training,
planning, equipping, stockpiling, hazard mapping and public information and education
initiatives.
Disaster Management is the efficient and effective utilization of resources and the application of
measure that will mitigate the impact of unfortunate events and facilitate return to normalcy and
development.
A. Earthquake
The destructive effects of earthquake are due mainly to intense ground shaking or
vibration. Because of severe ground shaking, low and tall buildings may tilt, split,
topple or collapse, foundation of roads, railroad tracks and even bridges may break,
electric posts may tilt or topple, water pipes and other utility installations may get
dislocated, dams and similar structures may break and cause flooding, landslide and
other forms of mass movement may occur in hilly and mountainous areas and
tsunamis may be generated. These destructive effects of earthquake may cause
casualties and short to long term socio-economic disruptions.
www.image.google.com
Sources:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
www.caloes.ca.gov
Singapore Civil Defence Force
www.scdf.gov.sg
City of Richmond California
ci.richmond.ca.us/1470/Duck-Cover-and-Hold
B. TSUNAMI
Tsunamis are giant sea waves generated by
the under-the-sea earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions. Not all underwater earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions, however, can cause
the occurrence of tsunamis. Tsunamis can
only occur when the earthquake is shallow-
seated and strong enough to displace parts
of the seabed and disturb the mass of water
over it. Although tsunamis may be triggered
in various ways, their effects on coastal
areas are similar.
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1. Do not stay in low-lying coastal areas after a felt earthquake. Move to higher grounds
immediately.
2. If unusual sea conditions like rapid lowering of sea level are observed, immediately move
towards higher grounds.
3. Never go down the beach to watch for a tsunami. When you see the wave, you are too
close to escape it.
4. During the retreat of sea level, interesting sights are often revealed. Fishes may be
stranded on dry land thereby attracting people to collect them. Also sandbars and coral
flats may be exposed. These scenes tempt people to flock to the shore line thereby
increasing the number of people at risk.
Source: www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
C. FIRE
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1. Avoid electrical overloading and unplug all electrical appliances after every use.
2. Check all electrical installations regularly.
3. Check gas stoves and LPG tanks for leaks. Turn off all cooking appliances and
unplug them when not in use.
4. Keep children away from flammable liquids, lighters and matches.
5. Ensure you have a pre-fire plan at your residence or office.
6. Do not leave lighted mosquito coils unattended.
7. Always take extra precautions while cooking.
8. Do not throw lighted cigar or cigarette butts on dried leaves and garbage.
9. Strictly obey the no smoking signs.
10. Maintain proper housekeeping to eliminate fire hazards.
11. Check fire protection gadgets or devices of appliances and equipment regularly.
12. Be fire-safety conscious. Actively participate during dire drills in your locality.
13. If possible, install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
5. Do not run, if your clothes catches fire but “Stop, Drop and Roll” instead.
6. When you’re trap in a room, do the following:
a. Check to see if there’s heat or smoke coming in the cracks around the door.
b. Don’t open the door when the smoke coming under the door.
c. Touch the door if you don’t see the smoke. If it’s hot or very warm then
don’t open it.
d. If you don’t see smoke and the door isn’t hot, then slightly use your fingers
to lightly touch the doorknob. If it’s hot don’t open it.
e. If the doorknob feels cool and you don’t see any smoke around, only then
you can open the door slowly and carefully
f. When you open the door and you feel a burst of heat or see smoke pours
into the room, quickly close the door and make sure it is really closed.
g. If there’s no smoke or heat when you open the door, quickly make your way
out.
h. Yell for help.
Sources:
www.bfp.gov.ph
Fire Code of the Philippines
D. LANDSLIDE
Landslides are rock, earth or debris flows on slopes due to gravity. They can occur on any
terrain given the right conditions of soil, moisture, and the angle of slope. Integral to the
natural process of the earth’s surface geology, landslides serve to redistribute soil and
sediments in a process that can be in abrupt collapses or in slow gradual slides. Such is the
nature of the earth’s surface dynamics.
What to do during landslide:
1. If there has been a period of heavy rainfall and you are in a landslide prone area,
you may be at risk of a landslide.
2. If you remain or are caught suddenly at home, move to a second story if possible.
Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves life.
3. Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees or
boulders knocking together. A tickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may
precede larger landslides. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without
warning.
4. If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in
water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may
indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don’t delay!
Save yourself, not your belongings.
5. Be especially alert if you are driving. Embankments along roadsides are
particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement,
mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flows.
6. Whenever you are in the path of a landslide or debris flow, move away as quickly
as possible. If escape is not possible, curl into a tight ball and protect your head
with your hands or a helmet.
7. Landslides are extremely dangerous, so it is far better to evacuate immediately if
you suspect imminent danger than to ponder the potential.
Source:
www.fema.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.ussartf.org
United States Search and Rescue Task Force
E. VOLCANIC ERUPTION
A volcano can be simply defined as a rupture or an opening on the crust of a planet like earth.
This opening allows hot ash, molten rock and gases to blow off from the underground spaces.
Volcanoes are usually found at places where tectonic plates get converged or diverged. The
common features of volcanic eruptions are lava and release of poisonous gases from the
crater situated at the summit of the volcanoes. If a volcano erupts where you live follow the
evacuation order issued by authorities and evacuate immediately from the volcano area to
avoid flying debris, hot gases, lateral blast, and lava flow.
Classification of Volcanoes
1. Active volcanoes: erupted within historical times (within the last 600 years), accounts of
these were documented by man; erupted within the last 10,000 years based on analyses
of datable materials.
2. Potentially active Volcanoes: morphologically young-looking but with no historical record
of eruption.
3. Inactive volcanoes: no record of eruptions; physical form is being changed by agents of
weathering and erosion via formation of deep and long gullies.
What to do during volcanic eruptions:
1. Avoid the declared permanent danger zones in your locality. Also, rivers where hazardous volcanic
substances can flow should be avoided.
2. Leave the area immediately. If you are warned to evacuate because an eruption is imminent, evacuate.
3. Be aware of mudflows. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged
heavy rains. Mudflows can move faster than when you walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge,
and do not cross the bridge if a mudflow is approaching.
4. Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.
5. If you are along the path of potential lahar flows, move to a higher ground or to a designated evacuation
site.
6. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance – infants, elderly people, and people
with disabilities.
7. If you have a respiratory ailment, avoid contact with any amount of ash.
8. Food should always be covered to prevent contamination.
9. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
10. Use goggles and wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.
11. Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing.
12. Avoid running car or truck engines. Driving can stir up volcanic ash that can clog engines, damage moving
parts and stall vehicles.
Source: www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
F. FLOOD
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause
floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturate the ground. Flash
floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying areas.
G. Typhoon
Source: www.bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph
Source: www.bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph