Tsunami Emergency Management Systems the coast of Northern Sumatra Island, Indonesia - Case Study Example

Tsunami Emergency Management Systems Name: University: Course Level: Masters Course: Task: Introduction The day after Christmas in 2004, an unanticipated disaster that shook the world to its knees struck. A Tsunami emanating from the coast of Northern Sumatra Island, Indonesia and ran through the Indian Ocean, with many more aftershocks after the main earth quake. This is the strongest earthquake that has ever hit the earth in the recorded history and its effects and destruction was unexplainable. The Tsunami happened without any warning causing vast and painful destruction in over eleven countries along the shores of the Indian Ocean. The Tsunami caused deaths of over 220,000 people and left over 1.5 million homeless. Public utilities such as hospitals and schools, premises, shopping centers, government offices and other infrastructure such as roads, electricity systems, water supply and other facilities were seriously affected and in some places totally destroyed. Countries were really affected and most of the affected countries crippled in a big way. This was an incidence that overwhelmed the world at large to an extent that no single country could help in this time of need and pain for the affected countries. (Pararas-Carayannis, G., 2005) The one reality that caught the attention of the whole world is that no one was really ready or prepared for such enormous effects of any disaster. In fact, there were no well-laid and set measures that could be used for disaster management at that moment. Hence, rescue operations had to be organized long after the disaster had struck and it was so painful to see so many lives lost due to lack of preparedness. It was a painful lesson that the whole world had to learn especially pertaining the effects that such an unpredicted disaster could have. In fact, it was so sad since it was clear that many nations had the required technology to help warn people in advance incase of such an emergence and also to prepare and train people on the required and necessary procedures to follow in such a moment. Had people known about the disaster a few minutes before it hit the coastlines, then they would have sought refuge on higher grounds and also find more stable places to stay so as to avoid the effects of the Tsunami. Also, rescue missions could have been easier to organize hence people could have been helped and this could have saved many lives. However, the most hit areas were in areas that were by a great extent neglected by the well-off nations in their measures to prepare for disasters and also to set out viable disaster management procedures and measures. Though prevention is better than cure, the response to the Tsunami was too late and the pain was felt all over the world. But now, nations and organizations have come up with measures to ensure maximum preparation for all the disaster-prone areas. Hence, incase such a disaster strikes again in the future, there will be better response and hopefully, the effects will be reduced enormously. Tsunami emergency management systems Many nations have come up with different measures and systems to help give warning in times of Tsunami occurrences. They have also prepared their citizens and different rescue teams on the effective procedures to deal with disasters this include disaster management trainings and other practices that help alleviate the effects of a Tsunami. Through use of technology, many countries around the world have developed or adopted programs from other countries that will be used in the future to warn the public of any occurrences of Tsunami and also ensure the interests of the public as a whole are protected. These systems will ensure there is public safety and also protection of life and property from damage. All over the world, the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have been equipped and trained on the emergence response and rescue procedures. Other organizations like the United Nations have also developed their own systems to prepare for response to disasters. Most of the countries have many programs for the same functions. In the United States, all the states have been given a mandate to develop their own system to deal with Tsunami disaster or any other disaster that would threaten the well being of the public. There are many systems and procedures adopted for preparedness and response to Tsunami. Some of the best and most adopted are discussed here. The ITIS/UNESCO Tsunami Warning System One of the main emergency response and Tsunami preparedness systems adopted by many countries is the system developed by the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC). (Yanagi, B., 2004) This system was prepared and developed first in the 1970’s after an assessment of the effects of the Tsunami and has been developed further to include latest technology. The system had many procedures and processes put in place to ensure there is adequate preparedness by the public and governments in preparedness against the Tsunami. The system comprises of: Evacuation zones which have been identified as the hazard-free areas where the members of public can seek refuge during a Tsunami, Education programs to the public and all the disaster management stakeholders, organizations, hospitals and government departments such as the fire brigade and the army. News and bulletins on any discoveries about the Tsunami given to governments so as to ensure they stay up-to-date on their preparedness. Any signs of a Tsunami occurrence are taken seriously and all the concerned parties given a word on it. Many gadgets and equipments put in place to notify the members of the public about an occurrence of a Tsunami so that they can evacuate. These includes such instruments as sirens, emergency alert systems, telephones and hotlines, data systems, satellites, airplanes and the media. Training of all the members of the public on methods of preparation for the Tsunami and activities to carry out during a Tsunami. The members of the public are trained on ways of identifying any occurrence of a Tsunami especially through using the senses of sight, feeling and hearing. There are many signs of a Tsunami and the public is advised that incase they note any of these signs; they should give an alarm to the rest and also evacuate to safer grounds. Well-set procedures to be followed by government departments in evacuating the members of the public away from a Tsunami hazard and in response to any one at danger or injured. Establishment of Tsunami Warning systems and centers with sophisticated systems and equipments that are interconnected with other warning systems to [warn against a Tsunami occurrence. These systems utilize high technology such as use of sensors, satellite, computers for data collection, storage and analysis and warning systems such as sirens. Systems are kept ready for evacuating all the members of public so as to ensure no one remains in danger. According to the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC), these procedures will aid many countries in reducing the effect of a Tsunami and also save lives and property. The International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) hence conducts many activities in all the member countries of UNESCO and all the areas that are prone to the Tsunami. Their main activity is conducting researches on all the past Tsunamis and storage of the data for use by other international organizations and also for future use. The data is very useful for predicting any future occurrences of a Tsunami after an analysis about the trend of past occurrences portrayed in the data collected. ITIC also educated all the stakeholders and staff in all the involved departments on the functions and operations of all the technology and equipment that compose the Tsunami warning systems On the other hand, ITIC takes an active role of educating and giving trainings to members of the public living in Tsunami-prone areas. The center has well-trained people who disseminate the information to all the members of the public, their leaders and the responsible members such as teachers so as to help them prepare incase of a Tsunami. Another activity of the center is the establishment of inter-governmental organizations that allow governments to work together in an effort to reduce the effects of a Tsunami and also in adequate preparation procedures for such an event. There is organization and training of non-government organizations and disaster management agencies for adequate preparation and response measures to be put in place. The GIS Disaster management system The Geographical Information System (GIS) technology is a system that is being used by ESRI, a leading organization in the efforts to help the prone areas prepare more adequately for a Tsunami. This organization was involved in a great way in the rescue and recovery process after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and is still devoted to help more in the future. However, according to ESRI, the best way to deal with a Tsunami is by investing dearly in the preparation and planning process so as to help reduce the pains of too much loss of lives and property as well as destruction of the environment. (ESRI, May 2006) In the planning process, the different governments which are prone to a Tsunami and those that have the technology to collect data should collaborate in ensuring that all the available data concerning the Tsunamis by different research centers, institutions, governments and any stakeholders is available to everyone and in a manner that it can be used for any emergency response incase a Tsunami hits. More specifically, the data should be fed into inter-linked databases so as to be used by any of the participants in the planning and preparation process. On preparation, the concerned governments should install all the available gadgets and systems to collect any data alerting them of any occurrence of a Tsunami. A lot needs to be done by any country at the prone areas and corporately to ensure that plans are made for the response process in times of crisis. According to ESRI, hazard mitigation can help save lives, property and the environment. The process of disaster mitigation has three main aspects: Engineering aspect where the structures, facilities and infrastructure are built in a manner that allows them to be resistant to a Tsunami hence they can withstand the fierce forces of the Tsunami. Latest technology should be applied to ensure that all the structures in the Tsunami-prone areas can withstand very strong forces and not just crumble at the presence of a Tsunami. Social aspect includes good land use practices and planning so as to ensure, for example, that buildings are located on the less prone areas compared to land used for agriculture and other practices. Also, scientific predictions and risk analysis should be carried out to ensure that people are less exposed to the risk of a Tsunami. Physical aspects that involve the observation, collection and recording of data that can be used for forecasting and prediction into the future. Scientific methods are used to predict any occurrence of a disaster and hence help in preparedness for the disaster. According to ESRI, there are three main and important phases in a disaster: Pre-disaster phase where a risk for a disaster is identified by the various methods in place for that purpose. This may range from simple observation such as feeling, hearing and seeing to very sophisticated technology used for collection of data on the risks. In this phase, hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis is usually carried out to determine the extent of the effects of a risk. Everyone should concentrate so much on this stage so as to help reduce the effects of the risk as necessary safety measures will be carried out. Also, measures should be in place to ensure everyone gets the information about an incoming risk so as to act accordingly. Disaster phase where the disaster strikes. Warning systems should get activated and emergency response has to be carried out. Usually, evacuation of anyone at risk or injured is carried out as fast as possible. Any aid needed should be provided to the vulnerable. Post-disaster phase is the time after the disaster has struck and caused damage. An analysis should be carried out to determine the extent of the loss and to find out the best recovery methods. This will also determine how much funding is required so as to determine if the concerned authorities have what it takes or need help from the international society. The whole recovery process should be organized so as to ensure things go back to normal in the shortest time possible. Renovations, repair and rebuilding of destroyed and affected infrastructure and buildings should be carried out. Other relief works should also be carried out such as food supply, provision of shelter to those who have been displaced, resumption of education systems, agriculture and fishing activities, water and sanitation and all the other normal life activities. Other examples of Tsunami Warning System There are many other systems developed by different countries and companies for response to the Tsunami so as to warn people of the potential risk of a Tsunami so that they e prepared and also be able to respond well to the disaster. Some of these systems included the different systems that have been developed by the Envirtech ™ Company in the Tsunami-prone areas which include: Thai Tsunami Warning System South China Sea Tsunami Warning System Italian Data Buoy Network Venice Microwaves Tide Station. Another such system is the Partnership for Public Warning (PPW) system which was established in the US to provide information for public awareness hence mitigate disasters. This system was used to provide information that was necessary to help the public save their lives, property and the environment. All these function in the same way as the ones discussed earlier on and have the same aim of alleviating the hazard of a tsunami. Conclusions After the tragic disaster of the worst and most powerful Tsunami in 40 years hit in December 2004, most of the affected counties and the international society were not prepared for anything like that. The disaster caused so much loss of life, property and destruction of the environment. Though the many affected countries were not ready hence did not respond well to the disaster, many lessons were learnt from that disaster. The major lesson, not only to the affected and the prone but to the entire world was that prevention is better than cure. Hence, most of the countries, organizations and institutes have formulated methods and procedures and also developed sophisticated systems that will be used in the future to help be prepared and also respond better if such a disaster as a tsunami or a related disaster strikes. The main way in which to mitigate the hazard caused by a tsunami is by having a well-laid system that outlines the procedures that will be used in response to a tsunami. The most important are the early warning systems that will give hazard awareness to everyone in the affected area so that they can move away from the hazard. This systems will also notify all the involved parties so as to be on the watch incase rescue efforts are required. Another method is research using past data and latest scientific and technological inventions in trying to identify a potential risk. Other procedures include evacuation efforts, rescue procedures and recovery methods. References Envirtech (2010) Tsunami Warning Bulletins (data fusion). Envirtech website accessed on June 9, 2010. http://www.envirtech.com/?gclid=CPi4rc2XkKICFVVo4wode3MUbQ ESRI (2006, May). An ESRI White Paper: GIS and Emergency Management in Indian Ocean Earthquake /Tsunami Disaster. New York, ESRI. Accessed from the internet on June 9, 2010. http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/gis-and-emergency-mgmt.pdf Pararas-Carayannis, G. (2005). The Great Earthquake and Tsunami of 26 December 2004 in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Disaster pages. Accessed from the internet on June 8, 2010.http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Tsunami2004Indonesia.html Yanagi, B. (). Hawaii Tsunami Warning System: Emergency Response and Tsunami Preparedness. Hawaii: International Tsunami Information Centre Read More