Q/A Earthquake preparedness

adopted from UN Indonesia Standard Operational Procedure IV.2

The following frequently asked questions and responses are provided. Earthquake Contingency Plans for Indonesia provide more detail and can be found in the country security plan.

Q: During an earthquake should you head for the doorway?
A: Only if you live in an old, un-reinforced adobe house or building. In modern buildings doorways are no stronger than any other parts or structures and usually have doors that will swing and can injure you. YOU ARE SAFER PRACTICING THE DUCK, COVER, AND HOLD under a sturdy piece of furniture.

Q: What emergency supplies do I need?
A:
a. Fire extinguisher.
b. Adequate supplies of medications that you, staff or family members are taking.
c. Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies.
d. First-aid kit and handbook.
e. Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries.
f. Portable radio with extra batteries.
g. Water for each person for at least 3 days (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources.
h. Canned and package foods, enough for several days and MECHANICAL can opener. Extra food for pets if necessary.
i. Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of the reach of children).
j. Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal.

Q: How can I plan ahead for an earthquake?
A:
a. Make sure each member of your staff or family knows what to do no matter where they are when Earthquakes/tremors occur. Discuss disaster risks with your staff members and family and make advance arrangements to get in touch in case of disaster. When a disaster occurs, staff and family are not always in one place; it is better to discuss and establish in advance means of effective communication and contact.
b. Designate an assembly point, outside and a safe distance from the building, where staff can assemble after an earthquake for a roll-call to determine, if any individuals are trapped in the building. This procedure is the same as it would be for a fire-drill. Same for families: establish a meeting place where family members can all reunite afterward.
c. Find out about Earthquake plans developed by local emergency organizations, children's school
or day care, etc.
d. Remember transportation may be disrupted; keep some emergency supplies--food, liquids, and comfortable shoes, for example--at work and home.
e. KNOW where the gas, electric and water main shutoffs are and how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short. Make sure staff or older members of the family can shut off utilities.
f. LOCATE your nearest fire and police stations and emergency medical facility.
g. TALK to your neighbors--how could they help you, or you them after an Earthquake.
h. TAKE Red Cross 1st Aid and CPR Training Course.
i. Take precautions with respect to valuables, e.g., savings, passbook, securities, cash, precious metals, wills, etc.

Q: What should I do during an earthquake?
A:
a. If you are INDOORS--STAY THERE! (Get under a desk or table and hang on to it, or move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.
b. At a PUBLIC PLACE (movie theater, department store, etc.). Do not panic. It is dangerous to rush to the exit. Try to protect yourself under doorways or against inner walls. Walk out (do not run) when shaking has stopped.
c. If you are OUTSIDE-- get into the OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.
d. If you are DRIVING--stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.
e. If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA--watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.

Q: What should I NOT DO during an earthquake?
A:
a. DO NOT turn on the MAINS gas again if turned off; let the gas company do it If using bottled gas, check for leaks beforehand.
b. DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire
c. DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If the phone doesn't work send someone for help.
d. DO NOT expect firefighters, police or paramedics to help you. They may not be available.

Q: What can I expect in a building when an earthquake occurs? How do I identify it? What can be done?
A: The contents of a building may be damaged and can be dangerous:
a. Shaking can make light fixtures fall, photocopiers, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases, computers, television sets topple over. IDENTIFY: Look around for things that could fall or move.
b. Ask yourself if your cupboard doors or filing cabinets fly open (allowing contents to fall on the floor and perhaps break or shatter).
c. Are computer, TV and stereo fastened down and are shelves fastened to wall? Are there hanging plants or light fixtures that might fall? Is there a heavy picture or mirror on the wall over your bed? WHAT CAN BE DONE: Arrange to have them fixed or in your home you can install door latches, braces and fasteners to fix most of these hazards yourself.

Q: What do I do after an earthquake?
A:
a. You should first take care of fire. If a fire starts, put it out promptly.
b. Turn on your radio or television (if conditions permit); information and instructions will be broadcast by radio.
c. Calmly get out of the building (do not run) and go to open spaces. Look out for falling debris. If you are in town, keep away from buildings (for a distance of at least half the height of the tallest one).
d. WEAR STURDY SHOES to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocks.
e. CHECK FOR INJURIES:
i. If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available.
ii. If a person is not breathing administer CPR.
iii. DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury.
iv. COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm. SEEK medical help for serious injuries.

c. CHECK FOR HAZARDS:
i. Fire hazards--put out fires in your building or neighborhood immediately, call for help. Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor.
ii. Damaged electrical wiring--shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring.
iii. Downed or damaged utility lines--do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them.
iv. SPILLS--clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas.
v. DOWNED OR DAMAGED CHIMNEYS--approach with caution--don't use damaged chimney (it could start fire or let poisonous gases into the building.
vi. FALLEN ITEMS--beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards.
vii. CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES--do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days. viii. Don't light stoves if you suspect a gas leak? USE BBQ or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking.
ix. If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables (AVOID drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas--it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe.)
d. Do not go sight-seeing.
e. Stay out of severely damaged buildings; after-shocks can shake them down.
f. If in a vehicle, drive slowly and listen carefully to traffic information by radio and follow the instructions.
g. In a severe earthquake, roads will be broken up, traffic signals will not work and there will be confusion. It may be better to evacuate on foot than by car, as it could be dangerous. False rumours are apt to circulate after tremors and more so after a severe earthquake. Await instructions from your manager or emergency services, which could come by radio or through a local emergency warden system, before evacuating.
h. Take minimal personal belongings in case of emergency.
i. Avoid walking along a wall, under a cliff or by a river. Be careful of broken electrical wires hanging down.

12.06.2008. 15:55

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