UNIT 3: DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND

MANAGEMENT

DISASTER PREPARATION AND RESPONSE (for

Earthquakes, Fires, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes)
◼ Learn how to shut off gas, water, and electric
utilities
◼ Secure shelves and heavy objects that could
cause injury
◼ Keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies to
last for at least three days. Replace supplies
regularly. Your supplies should at least include
the following.
- Two to four parts of water per person per
day
- First-aid kit
- Packaged/canned non-perishable food and
can opener
- Blankets/ sleeping bags
- Plastic bags to store waste
- Small radio with batteries/ cell phones
◼ Renew prescription for essential medications so
that you always have a 7-10 day supply on hand
◼ Plan with family on what to do if you cannot go
home
DURING A NATURAL DISASTER
In Case of FIRE:
➢ Do not panic. Be calm but act quickly
➢ Use the Fire Alarm System in warning the house
or building occupants. Call or shout for help.
➢ Use the telephone immediately by giving the
correct information and exact address (Guard
House, local no 2103, Security Office, local
1079, Jaro Fire Station 329-5700, Iloilo City Fire
Station, 337-4989, Jaro Police Station 329-7958)
➢ In case you are in the kitchen or when your frying
pan bursts, cover the flame with any metal cover
at hand to shut off oxygen from the air. Do not
pour water because it may spread the fire or
even injure you.
➢ A small fire may be extinguished using of the
following
- A rug
- A heavy garment
- A pail of water
- An extinguisher
➢ The best is an “ABC Type” fire extinguishers that
are available near your area.
➢ If the fire starts in any electrical wire or device
inside the building/house, cut off the current
first whenever possible, at the switch or at the
plug.
➢ If the fire is beyond control, warn the building
occupants and go to the nearest and safest exit.
Do not attempt anymore to salvage your
belongings. You might get trapped inside the
burning building/house.
➢ Your life is more precious than your things no
matter how valuable they are.
➢ If you managed to save some of your belongings,
do not place them where it may block the
fireman’s passageway.
➢ Do not jump from the upper-storey windows,
except as a last resort. Many people have
jumped to their death even while the firemen
were bringing ladders to rescue them.
➢ Take no chances of entering building to save
properly. Only the saving of lives justifies taking
a personal risk. Leave the job of fire fighting to
firemen.
➢ When injured or burned, immediately ask for
medical assistance.
In case of EARTHQUAKE: (Before)
◼ The key to effective disaster prevention is
planning. Know the earthquake hazards in your
area. Prepare your homes, workplace, or
schools.
- Strap or bolt heavy furniture/cabinets to the
walls
- Check the stability of hanging objects like
ceiling fans and chandeliers
- Breakable items, harmful chemicals and
flammable materials should be stored
properly in the lowermost secured shelves
- Familiarize yourselves with the exit routes
- Know where fire extinguishers, first aid kits,
alarms and communication facilities are
located. Learn how to use them beforehand.
- Prepare a handy emergency supply kit with
first aid kit, canned food and can opener,
water, clothing, blanket, battery-operated
radio, flashlights and extra batteries.
- Conduct and participate in regular
earthquake drills
In case of EARTHQUAKE: (During)
- Stay calm, DUCK, COVER and HOLD
- If you are inside a structurally sound building
or home, stay there. Protect yourself by
getting under a sturdy table or desk and hold
on to it while shaking occurs; or you can also
protect your head with your arms.
- Stay away from the glass windows, shelves,
cabinets and other heavy objects.
- Beware of falling objects. Be alert and keep
your eyes open.
- Stay calm and do not panic. Once the shaking
stops, take the fastest and safest way out of
the building in an orderly and calmly
manner. Do not use the elevators. Use the
stairs.
- If you are inside a moving vehicle, STOP and
get out! Do not attempt to cross the bridges,
overpasses or flyovers, which may have been
damaged.
- If you are outside, move to an open area
- Stay away from the power lines, posts and
concrete structures that may fall or collapse.
In case of EARTHQUAKE: (After)
- Check yourself and others for injuries.
Administer first aid if trained to do so.
Otherwise, seek immediate assistance from
nearby authorities if necessary.
- Check for spills of chemicals, toxic and
flammable materials to avoid potentially
disastrous situations.
 - Check for fires, if there are, have them TYPHOON SIGNALS
extinguished.
- Check water and electrical lines for damage;
if any damage is suspected, switch off water
and electricity.
- Do not enter partially damaged buildings
after an earthquake – strong aftershocks
may cause these structures to collapse.
- Should you decide to evacuate, leave a note
stating where you will go.
- Bring along items essential for your survival,
do not over burden yourself.
- Follow official advisories and warnings.
- Avoid needless telephone and road use to
allow authorities unhampered use of those
for relief and rescue operations.
- Do not heat wax, paints and other polishing
substances over open flames
- Check your kitchen before going to sleep.
In case of TYPHOONS:
◼ Stay indoors and keep calm
◼ Monitor TV and Radio reports
◼ Secure your home
◼ Trim trees near dwellings
◼ Keep road clear for emergency vehicles
◼ If your house is in a flood prone area, go to the
nearest designated evacuation center
◼ Have a flashlight and radio handy with fresh
batteries
◼ Stock up on food, potable water, kerosene,
batteries and first aid supplies
◼ In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of
electricity, gas and water in your home
◼ Avoid low lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and
coastal areas, slopes, cliffs and foothills. Rain can
trigger landslides and mudslides.
◼ Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not
attempt to cross flowing streams
◼ Do not operate any electrical equipment during
flood.
◼ Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have
been flooded
◼ Stack furniture above the expected flood level,
keep appliances, valuables, chemicals, toxic
substances and garbage beyond reach of flood
waters.