NATIONAL SERVICE

TRAINING PROGRAM 1

MODULE 9: DISASTER
MANAGEMENT & DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS
 To discuss the preparation that should be done
OBJECTIVES during disasters.
OVERVIEW

THIS SESSION FOCUSES ON THE

DIFFERENT PREPARATION WE
MAKE DURING DISASTER.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Preparing for a disaster can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that disasters cause. A
disaster can be a natural disaster, like hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake. It might
also be man-made, like a bioterrorist attack or chemical spill. You should know the risks
and danger signs of different types of disasters. You should also have a disaster plan. Be
ready to evacuate your home, and know how to treat basic medical problems. Make sure
you have the insurance you need, including special types, like flood insurance.

No matter what kind of disaster you experience, it causes emotional distress. After a
disaster, recovery can take any time. Stay connected to your family and friends during
this period.
 Process of ensuring that an organization (1)
has complied with the preventive measures,
(2) is in a state of readiness to contain the
effects of a forecasted disastrous event to
minimize loss of life, injury, and damage to
property, (3) can provide rescue, relief,
rehabilitation, and other services in the DISASTER
aftermath of the disaster, and (4) has the PREPAREDNE
capacity and resources to continue to sustain
its essential functions without being SS
overwhelmed by the demand placed on
them. Preparedness for the first and
immediate response is called Emergency
Preparedness.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-
powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.

Learn first aid.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

Learn Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.

Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an

Make up earthquake.

Don’t Don’t leave heavy objects on shelves (they’ll fall during

leave earth quake).
WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

ANCHOR HEAVY FURNITURE, LEARN THE EARTHQUAKE PLAN

CUPBOARDS, AND APPLIANCES AT YOUR SCHOOL OR
TO THE WALLS OR FLOOR. WORKPLACE.
WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

Stay calm! If you’re indoor, stay inside. If you’re outside, stay

outside.

In you’re indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the

building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a
desk or table). Stay away from the windows and outside doors.
WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

If you’re outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or

anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might
fall off the building or the building could fall on you).

Don’t use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines

and fire don’t mix.
 If you’re in a car, stop the
car and stay inside the car
WHAT TO DO until the earthquake stops.
DURING AN
EARTHQUAK
E Don’t use elevators (they’ll
probably get stuck
anyway).
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
Check water, gas, and electric
lines for damage. If any are
damaged, shut off the valves.
Check yourself and others for Check for the smell of gas. If
injuries. Provide first aid for you smell it, open all the
anyone who needs it. windows and doors, leave
immediately, and report it to
the authorities (use someone
else’s phone).

Turn on the radio. Don’t use the

Stay out of damaged buildings.
phone unless it’s an emergency.

Be careful around broken glass

and debris. Wear boots or
sturdy shoes to keep from
cutting your feet.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).

Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground
has stopped shaking.

Stay away from damaged areas.

If you’re at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the
person in charge.

Expect aftershocks.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Fire Prevention
Of course, the best way to practice fire safety is to
make sure a fire doesn’t break out in the first place.
That means you should always be aware of potential
hazards in your home, start by keeping these tips in
mind.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Check all electrical appliances, cords, and outlets

Look around your house for potential problems. And unless you’re a trained
electrician, be careful about do-it-yourself electrical projects. Studies have shown
that many home fires are caused by improper installation of electrical devices.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Be especially vigilant about portable heaters

 The number of residential fires always goes up during colder
month, peaking between December and February. Portable
space heaters substantially contribute to this increase. Before
plugging in your space heater, make sure you know how to
use it safely.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

 Be careful in the kitchen

 Did you know that cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United
States? The kitchen is rife with ways for a fire to start: food left unsupervised on
a stove or in an oven or microwave; grease spills; a dish towel too close to the
burner; a toaster or toaster oven flare-up; a coffee pot accidentally left-on.

 Always supervise kids while cooking and practice safe cooking habits – like
turning all pot handles in so they can’t be accidentally knocked over and not
wearing loose-fitting clothing that could catch fire around the stove.
 Check the fireplace
 Fireplaces should be kept clean and
covered with a screen to keep
sparks from jumping out. Only

FIRE wood should be burned in the

fireplace – paper and other
materials can escape while burning
SAFETY and ignite nearby items. Never
leave a fire burning unattended and
make sure a fire is completely
TIPS extinguisher before leaving the
house or going to bed. Have the
chimney professionally cleaned
once a year.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Beware of Cigarettes

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), Cigarettes are the no. 1
cause of fire deaths in the United States and Canada, killing about 1,000 per year. Most are
started when the ashes or butts fall into couches and chairs. If you smoke, be especially
careful around upholstered furniture, never smoke in bed, and be sure cigarettes are
completely out before you toss them in the trash.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Keep fire extinguishers handy

Be prepared for any accidents by having fire extinguishers strategically placed

around your house – at least one on each floor and in kitchen (this one should be
an all-purpose extinguisher, meaning it can be used on grease and electrical fires),
the basement, the garage, or workshop area. Keep them out of reach of children.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Practice Fire Drills at Home

 Kids have fire drills at school and adults have them at work. Why shouldn’t you
have them at home, too? Fires are frightening and can cause panic. By rehearsing
different scenarios, your family will be less likely to waste precious time trying
to figure out what to do. Discuss and rehearse the escape routes you’ve planned
for each room of your home. Designate a meeting place outside your house or
apartment building that is a safe distance away (a mailbox, a fence, or even a
distinctive-looking tree will do) where everyone can be accounted for after they
escape.
PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON

Plan a head
 Determine whether you can remain in your home during the typhoon. You may
be able to ride out a weak typhoon with a small storm surge but will need to
evacuate for stronger storms. Listen for warnings from your local officials or
weather personnel in situations where evacuation is ordered. Note the evacuation
routes and plan to leave early.
 Make lists of television and radio stations where you can get storm information,
phone numbers to call in case of emergencies and locations of storm shelters. Get
directions for the emergency shelters.
PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON

Designate a location for you and your family members to meet if you get
separated and the number of an out-of-state relative to call to say everyone is
safe. That out-of-state person starts the phone tree to others on your list after
learning you are okay.

Find a place to take your pets where they will be safe if you have to evacuate.
Most storm shelters won’t allow pets.

Remember to shut off electricity, water and gas to your home before
evacuating.
PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON

Assemble a Typhoon Kit

 Pack food that doesn’t have to be refrigerated or cooked
along with disposable plates, bowls, forks, knives and
spoons. Each person and pet in the home should have enough
to eat for three days.
 Store water. Each person needs three gallons of clean water
to drink and to use for washing. Pets also need water.
PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON

Include a first aid kit in your typhoon kit.

Remember to pack board games, card decks and a

battery-operated radio.

Throw in a box of garbage bags and paper towels.

 Pack Pack your Bags

PREPARING Pack a small bag or backpack for each

FOR A Pack person in the home. It should include
clothes and toiletries for three days.
TYPHOON

Bundl Bundle a blanket and pillow for each

person and place them in garbage bags (to
e keep them dry) to take along if evacuating.
PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON

Include a small bag of photos and documents you

can’t afford to have destroyed, such as wills and
wedding albums.
Place everyone’s bag and bed bundle near the door
so they can be quickly loaded into the car if you
decide to evacuate. Fill the car with gas.
AFTER TYPHOON

Avoid going out for a picnic or excursion immediately after a

typhoon. It is usually calm after a typhoon. Wait until the
typhoon has totally left the place.

Listen to radio announcements to know about the typhoon and

the weather.
AFTER TYPHOON

Check the roofs or construction of your house. Is

your roof was damaged? Check and fix it.
Is there any injured or is their any neighbors injured
during the typhoon? Bring them to the nearest
disaster coordinating council hospital or medical
centers?
PLAN FOR  Develop a Family Disaster Plan. Please
see the “Family Disaster Plan” section for
TSUNAMI general family panning information.
PLAN FOR TSUNAMI

 Learn about Tsunami risk in your community. Contact

your local emergency management office or American Red
Cross Chapter. Find out if your home, school, workplace or
other frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard
areas. Know the height of your street above sea level and the
distance of your street from the coast or other high-risk
waters. Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers.
 If you are visiting an area at risk for
Tsunami, check with the hotel, motel, or
camp ground operators for tsunami
evacuation information and how you would
be warned. It is important to now designated PLAN FOR
escape routes before a warning is issued. If TSUNAMI
you are at risk from tsunamis, do the
following:
  Plan an evacuation route from your
home, school, workplace, or any other
place you’ll be where Tsunamis
present a risk. If possible, pick an area
100 feet above sea level or go up to
two miles inland, away from the
coastline. If you can’t get this high or
far, go as high as you can. Every foot

PLAN FOR
inland or upwards makes a difference.
You should be able to reach your safe
location on foot within 15 minutes.
After a disaster, roads may become
TSUNAMI impassable or blocked. Be prepared to
evacuate by foot if necessary. Foot
paths normally lead uphill and inland,
while many roads parallel coastlines.
Follow posted Tsunami evacuations
routes; these will lead to safety. Local
emergency management officials can
help advise you as to the best route
safety and likely shelter locations.
  Practice your evacuation route.
Familiarity may save your life. Be

PLAN FOR
able to follow your escape route at
night and during inclement weather.
Practicing your plan makes the

TSUNAMI appropriate response more of a

reaction, requiring less thinking
during an actual emergency
situation.
PLAN FOR TSUNAMI

 Use a NOAA Weather Radio with tone-alert feature to keep

you informed of local watches and warnings. The tone alert
feature will warn you of potential danger even if you are not
currently listening to local radio or television stations.

 Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners’ policies do not

cover flooding from a Tsunami. Ask about the National Flood
Insurance Program.
PLAN FOR TSUNAMI

 Discuss Tsunami with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case
all famly members are not together. Discussing Tsunamis ahead of time will help
reduce fear and anxiety, and let everyone know how to respond. Review flood
safety and preparedness measures with your family.

 Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit. Please see the section “Disaster Supplies
Kit” for general Supplies Kit information. Tsunami-specific supplies should
include the following:
 Evacuation Supplies Kit in an easy-to-carry container (backpack) near your door.
 Disaster Supplies Kit Basics.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dela Cruz, Sonia G. (2005). National Development via National Service Training
Program. Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp

Del Rosario, Ed. D. (2012). Resurreccion et. al. National Service Training Program
1. Bulacan: St. Andrew Publishing House.

Lee, Sergio J. (2007). National Service Training Program: 2nd Edition. Quezon City:
C & E Publishing, Inc.