WHAT’S the prize for efforts to mitigate or manage disaster risks? According to former Office of Civil Defense chief Alexander Pama during the recent regional 21st Gawad KALASAG Awarding Ceremony in Iloilo City, the “biggest prize is not having casualties when disaster strikes.”
He is right. That is the ultimate goal – protecting lives and properties.
According to Pama, communities’ disaster risk reduction and management councils, whether provincial, city, municipal or barangay, must have the capability to save lives.
But how?
We do not want to sound alarmist but we must remind citizens to prepare all the time. It is a must that everyone understands how they can contribute to making communities disaster-resilient and actually take part in such activities. And it basically starts at home. Everyone must regularly monitor disaster updates and advisories.
Also, disaster preparedness and response agencies should always be on alert for emergencies and concerned government departments must be ready to provide basic needs and relief items.
The Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, a manual produced by the Committee on Climate Change in partnership with various government agencies, has outlined measures citizens must observe. What to do in case of typhoons, for example?
Stay indoors and keep calm. Monitor TV and radio reports.
Secure your home. Trim trees near dwellings. Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Go to the nearest designated evacuation center if your house is in a flood-prone area.
Have a flashlight and radio handy, with fresh batteries. Stock up on food, potable water, kerosene, batteries, and first-aid.
In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of electricity, gas and water in your home. Stack furniture above the expected flood level. Keep appliances, valuables, chemicals, toxic substances, and garbage beyond the reach of floodwaters.
Avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and coastal areas, slopes, cliffs, and foothills. Rain can trigger landslides, rockslides or mudslides.
Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
Do not operate any electrical equipment during a flood. Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.
Disaster prevention starts long before a typhoon makes landfall. We won’t tire reminding everyone that most natural hazards turn into catastrophes because of lack of preparedness.
Great article,thank you.Practice drills for govt agencies and emergency responders and educating the public via barangay events, thru school and social media will help everyone to be on their toes.If provision of basic emergency kit (like portable radio and flashlight )for needy families is possible,it would be awesome