Take Precautions as a Community in Preparation for an Earthquake
Taking precautions as a community in case of the event of an earthquake can be considerably different in comparison to preparation as an individual. However, there are still several precautions one can take to ensure the help ensure the safety of a community as a whole and to minimise local damage.
-Talk to your local council/government regarding building codes and make sure that these are enforced. Adhering to strict building codes is essential in minimising the damage caused by earthquakes and maintaining the safety of the buildings patrons/inhabitants.
-Use forms of media to advertise earthquake safety and promote preparedness within your community. Using forms of media such as newspapers, social networks and websites are effective ways to publish emergency information regarding what to do in the case of an earthquake, local emergency service phone numbers and local Red Cross/hospital. This will also assist workplaces and schools in developing retrospective earthquake safety plans.
-In conjunction with local emergency services and carers, endeavour to produce earthquake contingency plans for the elderly/disabled in your community and to make them aware of these plans.
-Discuss procedures regarding disabling the gas, water and electric systems in the event of an earthquake with the companies that run these services and the workers within those companies. Making sure that these companies and the workers are aware of their role in the event of an earthquake can help to reduce the considerable risk of water damage, electrocution/electrical fires and gas leaks/fires.
-Ensure that your workplace has an effective earthquake plan and that your fellow employees are aware of this plan. This is also applicable in schools, and running drills is an effective way of reminding students/staff of the procedures regarding the occurrence of an earthquake.
An earthquake plan in a school/workplace would need to consist of these elements;
-'Drop, Cover and Hold On.' Immediately seeking cover beneath desks, tables or heavy furniture as soon as an earthquake is felt, and remaining there throughout the earthquake.
-After the earthquake, have a teacher (in the case of a school) or a chosen staff member (in the case of a workplace) assess the state of the building and determine whether evacuation is necessary. If determined necessary, immediately evacuate all students/staff to a designated meeting place (preferably a clear area, away from power lines and possible building damage. A sports oval is a prime example of a safe meeting place).
-Whilst the damage is being assessed, people are to check themselves for injuries, then their co-workers/students. First aid is to be administered where necessary.
-Check that all staff/students are accounted for and prepare for aftershocks.
(It is also important to make sure that staff/students are aware that the alarms/sprinklers may turn on during an earthquake, and elevators/electric doors may cease to be functional.)
Important Items to Include in Every Workplace, School and Other Public Buildings:
-A copy of the evacuation plan and other procedures regarding an earthquake. Including; evacuation areas, 'Drop, Cover and Hold On' diagram and instructions, instructions regarding the location of First Aid and what to do if the building sustains significant damage.
-Several Disaster Kits. These kits would need to contain (at a minimum); multiple blankets/jumpers, multiple bottles of water, whistles, battery operated torches and googles/protective eye ware.
These preparation methods and precautions (if followed) would be highly effective in positively preparing a community for an earthquake and generating the best possible outcome for the community as a whole. Implementing these methods in a community would help to generate awareness and an overall sense of alertness, enabling people in workplaces, public areas and schools to be able to effectively manage themselves and others in the aftermath of an earthquake. These precautions also encourage people to be knowledgeable of what to do in the occurrence of an earthquake, and how to act during and after the quake. It is important that these provisions in the case of an earthquake are observed, as this would allow the community to function productively as a whole during a trying and dangerous situation. However, these observing these precautions does not guarantee an absence of fatality, injury or damage transpiring during/after the earthquake, although utilising these precautions/preventative methods does significantly lower the probability of serious damage/injury or fatality.
-Talk to your local council/government regarding building codes and make sure that these are enforced. Adhering to strict building codes is essential in minimising the damage caused by earthquakes and maintaining the safety of the buildings patrons/inhabitants.
-Use forms of media to advertise earthquake safety and promote preparedness within your community. Using forms of media such as newspapers, social networks and websites are effective ways to publish emergency information regarding what to do in the case of an earthquake, local emergency service phone numbers and local Red Cross/hospital. This will also assist workplaces and schools in developing retrospective earthquake safety plans.
-In conjunction with local emergency services and carers, endeavour to produce earthquake contingency plans for the elderly/disabled in your community and to make them aware of these plans.
-Discuss procedures regarding disabling the gas, water and electric systems in the event of an earthquake with the companies that run these services and the workers within those companies. Making sure that these companies and the workers are aware of their role in the event of an earthquake can help to reduce the considerable risk of water damage, electrocution/electrical fires and gas leaks/fires.
-Ensure that your workplace has an effective earthquake plan and that your fellow employees are aware of this plan. This is also applicable in schools, and running drills is an effective way of reminding students/staff of the procedures regarding the occurrence of an earthquake.
An earthquake plan in a school/workplace would need to consist of these elements;
-'Drop, Cover and Hold On.' Immediately seeking cover beneath desks, tables or heavy furniture as soon as an earthquake is felt, and remaining there throughout the earthquake.
-After the earthquake, have a teacher (in the case of a school) or a chosen staff member (in the case of a workplace) assess the state of the building and determine whether evacuation is necessary. If determined necessary, immediately evacuate all students/staff to a designated meeting place (preferably a clear area, away from power lines and possible building damage. A sports oval is a prime example of a safe meeting place).
-Whilst the damage is being assessed, people are to check themselves for injuries, then their co-workers/students. First aid is to be administered where necessary.
-Check that all staff/students are accounted for and prepare for aftershocks.
(It is also important to make sure that staff/students are aware that the alarms/sprinklers may turn on during an earthquake, and elevators/electric doors may cease to be functional.)
Important Items to Include in Every Workplace, School and Other Public Buildings:
-A copy of the evacuation plan and other procedures regarding an earthquake. Including; evacuation areas, 'Drop, Cover and Hold On' diagram and instructions, instructions regarding the location of First Aid and what to do if the building sustains significant damage.
-Several Disaster Kits. These kits would need to contain (at a minimum); multiple blankets/jumpers, multiple bottles of water, whistles, battery operated torches and googles/protective eye ware.
These preparation methods and precautions (if followed) would be highly effective in positively preparing a community for an earthquake and generating the best possible outcome for the community as a whole. Implementing these methods in a community would help to generate awareness and an overall sense of alertness, enabling people in workplaces, public areas and schools to be able to effectively manage themselves and others in the aftermath of an earthquake. These precautions also encourage people to be knowledgeable of what to do in the occurrence of an earthquake, and how to act during and after the quake. It is important that these provisions in the case of an earthquake are observed, as this would allow the community to function productively as a whole during a trying and dangerous situation. However, these observing these precautions does not guarantee an absence of fatality, injury or damage transpiring during/after the earthquake, although utilising these precautions/preventative methods does significantly lower the probability of serious damage/injury or fatality.