DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY
PREMISE
The 21st century is already been described as the
century of travel. In 2010, about 900 million travel
across the international border, about 4.5 billion
made domestic trips. The incredible increase in travel
and tourism appear to face a growing threat not only
in safety and security but also in natural and man-
made disasters.
A disaster is a sudden event, either an accident or a
natural catastrophe, these causes great damage or
loss of lives. A disaster can be caused by natural
disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami,
floods, and volcanos. And the other is a man-made
disaster or a correct term as "human instigated"
examples are transportation accidents in land, sea,
and air, chemical toxic air in polluted areas,
pandemics such as swine flu and SARS. Another thing
to consider is the acts of terrorism. The 9-11 attack in
1997 has brought a big impact in the world of travel
and tourism.
IMPACTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS ON THE
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
Tourism brings a huge amount in the business
industries and economic development. Several factors
that may have an impact on tourism, it may be a
positive impact or a negative impact. Disaster either
natural or man-made can affect the natural beauty of
the tourist destination, brings risk to the tourist's
safety and security.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
When studying tourism and disaster, it considers a
continuum, all the stakeholders (the private sectors,
government, community, business, the tourists) work
together to reduce the risk of a disaster and
integrates the plans to respond and recover. When
disaster strikes, these agencies come together to
provide relief, identify the mortalities, shelter, and
medical assistance. The tourists anxiety may be
reduced by recovering their passports, dealing with
the embassy, retrieving their important documents
such as ID and, money. Tourism and hospitality are
business that means resilience, rapid recovery, and
gaining back a reputation. (Gordon, 2015).
PREPARING & RESPONDING TO NATURAL DISASTERS
BEFORE THE NATURAL DISASTER
Natural disasters can be predicted such as
typhoons and tsunamis except for earthquakes.
Despite advances in technology, there is no complete
accuracy how a typhoon will be on landfall and its
intensity.
Observation and data are the most effective tools in
predicting a natural disaster. Scientist analyzes past
disasters and finds a pattem in natural phenomena,
this can give warning of future events. Another way to
predict natural disasters is constant surveillance, using
off-shore cameras in prone areas to monitor the
winds, waves, ocean currents and weather patterns,
predictions can be calculated. In this way, immediate
response and recovery teams work together to lessen
the effect on people and affected places.
1. Perform a risk assessment. Identify hazard that is
vulnerable to disasters like floods.
2. Disaster preparedness training. Train employees on
how to prepare and respond to disaster.
3. Develop disaster response with the community. It
involves pre positioning of relief supplies, community
task force who have proper training in disaster
management such as search and rescue and basic first
aid.
At the emergency phase:
1. Coordinate with stakeholders
1. Provide necessities like water, food, first-aid kit,
communication devices like full charged cellphones,
power bank, whistles during the first 48 hours.
3. Conduct a rapid assessment of the damage to
identify the immediate response for the most critical
needs and preferences for assistance.
EARTHQUAKE
Earthquake is known as "tremor", "quake" or "tremblor"
is a sudden movement of the surface of the earth.
Types of Earthquake
a. Tectonic earthquake - created by a sudden
movement along the faults and plate boundaries.
b. Volcanic earthquake - induced by rising lava or
magma beneath active volcanoes.
Earthquake Monitoring System
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(PHILVOCS) is a service institute under the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
accountable to monitor and mitigate disasters that may
occur from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami,
and other related geotectonic phenomena. At present
PHILVOCS operates 101 seismic monitoring stations
in the Philippines. (PHILVOCS,2019)
Magnitude and Intensity
Magnitude and Intensity measure different
characteristics of the earthquake. Magnitudes measure
the amount of energy released at the source of the
earthquake. It is determined from the measurements
Sha seismographs. While intensity measures the
strong vibration of shaking generated by the
earthquake at a certain are. Intensity is established
from the effects on people man-made structures, and
the natural environment.
PREPAREDNESS BEFORE EARTHQUAKE
1.Safely secure hanging objects to the wall or ceiling;
2.Learn to deactivate gas, water, and electricity;
3.Secure heavy furnishing; do not position heavy
objects on high shelves; and
4.Examine the fire system regularly.
WHAT TO DO DURING THE EARTHQUAKE
1.Apply drop, cover and hold;
2.Stay calm and do not panic;
3.Shut off electricity, gas, and water tap;
4.Protect self from falling objects;
5.Do not attempt to run out of the building; and
6.Never use an elevator during the earthquake.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE
1.Assess the people around that are hurt and provide
necessary first aid treatment;
2.Monitor the disaster reports and pay attention to the
emergency instructions;
3.Wear sturdy shoes or wear boots to avoid injury
caused by broken window glass and other sharp
objects;
4.Inspect the structure and condition of the building.
5.Evacuatethe building calmly and use the stairs;
6.Go to the nearest high places and stay away from
beaches and ports for tsunami warning; and
7.Prepare to experience aftershocks.
TYPHOON PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
1. PREPARE AND PLAN FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING
• Check drainage to ensure no clogging, and Check
pumps for draining water to prevent flooding.
2. PREPARE AND PLAN FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE
TO SOME INFRASTRUCTURES CAUSED BY
STRONG WINDS
•Inspect ceilings and roof for possible damage when
strong winds come; and
•Check for a possible leak from the roof.
3. PREPARE AND PLAN FOR POSSIBLE BROWN-
OUTS OR POWER FAILURE.
•Ensure the functionality of the generators;
•Ensure an adequate supply of functional flashlights;
and
•Prepare radios for communication within the
establishment.
4. PREPARE AND PLAN FOR POSSIBLE WATER
SHORTAGE.
5. PREPARE AND PLAN FOR POSSIBLE
MANPOWER SHORTAGE.
•Prepare for a scheme to ensure adequate manpower
during the typhoon; and
•Prepare for an overtime scheme for staff before,
during, and after the typhoon.
6. PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE MANPOWER BEING
STRANDED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT.
•Prepare for food for the staff who may be stranded in
the establishment.
•Prepare for lodging for the staff who may be stranded
in the establishment.
RESPONDING TO MAN-MADE DISASTER
RESPONDING TO FIRE
Fire in the workplace can be very destructive if not
controlled immediately, it would result in serious
injuries and even death.
PREVENTING FIRE FROM THE WORKPLACE:
1. Establish and carry out a program that will provide
information to recognize and prevent the fire hazards;
2. Ensure that employees have enough training in
handling combustible and flammable material;
3. Maintain safe housekeeping practices the prevent
the risk of fire; and
4. Always keep and maintain adequate fire
extinguishers in the work area.
GENERAL SAFETY MEASURES
The following are general safety measures in
establishing and maintaining fire protection in the
workplace:
•Do not store flammable matters within 10 feet of a
building or other structure;
•Ensure to use only permitted containers for disposal
and separation of combustible wastes. Do not forget to
always replace the cover; Always clear the area that
firefighting equipment can pass thru in case of fire; Do
not stack combustible materials and accumulate in any In dealing with an emergency situation, follow the three
part of the work area; Golden Rules:

•Dispose of combustible debris and scrap periodically, (DRAWING)

Stack and pile materials in an orderly manner, and

•Use only approved containers and tanks for storage,

handling and transport of combustible and flammable
liquid

Responding to Fire and Other Alarms

When establishing the nature and location of the

alarm, it needs to examine what has triggered the
alarm. This may be produced by a fire, motion
(intruder), smoke, heat, water, and gas.

Emergency numbers should be posted in various

locations throughout the building and near the
telephones. Make sure that emergency numbers are
stored in the cellphones of each employee.

When reporting the emergency response, the caller

needs to do the following:

•State your name, position and, location (bar THE RULE OF THREE SURVIVAL PRIORITIES
attendant, duty manager, front office personnel); (absence of these means sudden death)

•Say that you are reporting an emergency; 1.Minutes without breathing (drowning, asphyxiation);

•Describe the nature of the emergency (fire, intruder,
water or gas);
Provide the location of the emergency (floor, room
number, office);
•Listen carefully and be guided as the operator
provides instructions;
•Provide information if people being trapped;
•Provide information and describe the condition of the
area (power out, escaping gas);
2.Days without water (dehydration); and
3.Weeks without food (starvation).
RESPONDING TO GUEST WITH INAPPROPRIATE
BEHAVIOR
Acceptable behavior may depend on the requirements
of a certain place or venue. A bar may be different
from a hotel or restaurant. However, in general,
inappropriate behavior may include the following:
1.Rudeness and aggressiveness;

•Provide information on the quickest and best possible 2.A person committing an act of violence in a certain
entrance and approach; and •Do not hang up the place;
phone until the emergency response told to do so.
3.The loud argument that causes disturbance to other
During the emergency someone is designated to meet people'
the emergency response theme on their arrival on-
4.Aggressive intoxicated guest or patron;
scene. Whoever does this job must know where the
emergency and the details about the emergency. 5.A person using a profane and abusive language;
He/she is able to quickly direct or lead the response
theme to the site of the emergency, and be able to 6.A room that exceeds the number of guests allowed
provide relevant information such as the site plans, the where other guests are being disturbed; and
number of people in the building, lay-out of the
7.A customer wearing inappropriate dress codes for a
property, the potential dangers, and vulnerable group
certain part of the venue.
of people such as the elderly, children, babies,
disabled, workers, guests. Responding to the people with this kind of behavior
must be taken proactively like for example, talking
Note: Anyone who has been appointed to do the role
appropriately to the person and politely modify their
of awaiting the arrival of the emergency response
behavior, escorting the person away from the area,
group must understand this is a very responsible
advising the patrons of what is expected, engage in a
position. You must not abandon this position to do
conversation until the right authority arrives.
something else.
RESPONDING TO ACT OF TERRORISM
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES
Terrorism has many faces and forms today.
Employees and staff must be knowledgable of any
suspicious and unattended packages around the area
or a place it should not be. The appropriate response
is as follows:
1.Do not attempt to touch the package;
2.Ask who is the owner of the package;
3.Notify the management; and
4.Contact the local police or security in the area.
BOMB THREATS
A bomb threat is a very rare situation, in
circumstances, it could happen to respond efficiently
and effectively can be done. When a bomb threat is
received through a phone call, here are some
approaches that need to be done:
1.Make sure the bomb treat checklist is near to the
phone;
2.Listen attentively and handle the call calmy;
3.Have someone from the area listen in the
conversation; • Write down the exact words,
4.the time when the call was made; and Check if there
is a caller ID number.
Always consider that the call is a genuine emergency.
It is not your job to determine if the threat is a hoax or
not. Your responsibility is to apply the house policies
immediately. Let the police or the management decide
it is deception or not
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO:
•Time and length of the call;
•Name of the person taking the call and the name of
the caller;
•The age and gender of the caller; and
•Keep the caller taking as long as possible. •Ask the
caller the following information.
WHERE IS THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE BOMB?
✓When will it explode?
✓What does it look like?
✓What kind of bomb is it?
✓ What cause it to explode?
✓Who placed the bomb?
✓What is the reason in planting the bomb?
•Be attentive to the background sounds such as animal
noises, music, noises, language, diction and tone of
people conversing;
•Pay attention to the caller's voice (accent, diction,
speech impediment, cracking voice, stutter, clearing
throat);
•After the call, immediately speak to the proper
authority and local security; and
If the evacuation is announced, take your personal
belongings quickly and calmly go to the assigned
assembly area.
REMEMBER
Do not waste time, the first 3 minutes are critical that
can result in the death of many people. Evacuate the
area in three minutes.
SUMMARY
•A disaster is a phenomenon that can impede great
damage or loss of lives;
•A disaster is caused by a natural catastrophe
(typhoon, earthquake, flood, and tsunami) and can be
a human instigation like terrorism, transportation
accident, fire, virus, and pollution;
•Disaster management is an approach to organize and
manage resources, delegating responsibilities in
emergency situations. This includes preparedness,
response, and recovery;
•Earthquake is a sudden movement on the surface of
the earth. Preparedness can minimize fear, anxiety
due to the loss of properties and lives;
•Fire is a very destructive man-made disaster that
could result in serious injuries, loss of properties and
even death. If not controlled immediately; and
•The act of terrorism has many forms. Employees must
have the proper training to appropriately responds to
this kind of undesirable situation.