Disaster Risk Management and Reduction

Sendai Framework Compounds

• The Sendai Framework has four key compounds:
  • Understanding disaster risk
  • Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk
  • Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
  • Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response to embody the "Build Back Better" principle of recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

Disaster Risk Management

• Cultural heritage protection safeguards Italy's historical and cultural sites from disaster risks. Special protocols protect these landmarks during emergencies.
• Emergency protocols define procedures for agencies during disasters ensuring rapid and coordinated response, minimizing confusion and duplication of efforts.
• Public awareness law promotes education, campaigns, and information sharing to prepare citizens for disasters.

Disaster Risk Reduction Measures

• Volunteer frameworks regulate the role of volunteer organizations in disaster response, coordinating with government agencies.
• Flood risk plans require assessment and strategies for mitigating damage.
• Building codes ensure structures are earthquake-resistant and safe from flooding.
• Climate adaptation plans address risks from extreme events caused by climate change.
• Early warning systems mandate the development of advanced systems for hazards like floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
• Fire prevention laws establish safety standards to reduce fire risks in urban and rural areas.
• Health emergency plans prepare the country for public health crises like pandemics or biological hazards.

Disaster Drill Practices

• Alarm phase: Sound the alarm signals disaster occurrences.
• Response phase: Mobilization of units to respond to disasters.
• Evacuation phase: Facilitate the safe and efficient evacuation of community members.
• Assembly phase: Orderly assembly at evacuation sites for headcount.
• Headcount phase: Tallies names and participation of those present.
• Evaluation phase: Assessments are done before and after the drill.

School-Based Emergency Survival Kit

• Personal hygiene and sanitation:
  • Bucket with toilet seat lid
  • Toilet paper
  • Wet wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet bags
  • Tarpaulin and duct tape
• Food and water:
  • Water bottles/pouches
  • Water purification tablets
  • Nutritional bars
• Light and communication:
  • Emergency light sticker/signal
  • Survival whistle
  • Flashlight with charger
  • Siren/radio
• Entertainment: Playing cards, portable board games
• First aid:
  • Bandages and tape
  • Gauze and trauma pads
  • Instant cold packs
  • Rubbing alcohol/antiseptic wipes
  • Cotton swabs
  • Latex-free gloves

Community Empowerment and Development

• Empowering: Provides training and programs for strengthening community capacities
• Development: Adapts to changes and ensures member growth.

Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Standards

• People's participation: Community members' involvement, acknowledging existing coping mechanisms. Reducing vulnerabilities, building resilient communities. People's contributions are important and governments/NGOs have a crucial role as well.
• Principles of CBDRM:
  • Participatory process: Every member participates.
  • Responsive: Addresses disaster risks and has responses for every hazard.
  • Integrated: Plans and implements pre-disaster measures.
  • Proactive: Takes initiative to think of safety and resilience for everyone.
  • Comprehensive: Recognizes each person's strengths and weaknesses.
  • Multisectoral and Multidisciplinary: Goals for everyone's safety and resilience.

Disaster Response Stages

• Preparedness: Ongoing process for individuals, communities, and organizations to plan and prepare for disasters (fire drills, evacuation rehearsals).
• Response: What happens after a disaster; involves short and long-term actions. Removing ongoing hazards; removing people from affected areas.
• Recovery: Process for individuals/communities returning to normal life from the impact of a disaster. This can take decades.

Disaster Risk Reduction Cycle

• Prevention: Permanent measures to minimize disaster risk.
• Mitigation: Minimize loss by planning safety measures and other pre-disaster planning. Includes structural and non-structural measures.

Post-Disaster Actions

• Call for emergency services: Aid those in need.
• First aid: Provide immediate care.
• Inform loved ones: Maintain contact during and after disaster.
• Emergency evacuation: Serious injuries should be transferred to the hospital immediately.

Fire Safety Guidelines and Emergency Protocols

• Prevent fire incidents (smoke inside the house)
• Crush cigarette butts thoroughly before discarding
• Do not throw cigarettes into wastebaskets
• Keep lighted candles, oil/gas lamps away from curtains/other easily-catching objects
• Do not store flammable liquids
• Check electrical installations/wiring regularly, replace if damaged
• Do not overload electrical circuits

Fire Classes and Extinguisher Types

• Class A: Fires involving solid materials (wood, paper, textiles)
• Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids (petrol, diesel, oil)

Fire Triangle Elements

• Fuel: A source of burning material
• Heat: A source to start the burning
• Oxygen: Most abundant in air

Stages of Fire Development

• Ignition: Easiest stage for eradication, serves as the starting point.
• Growth: The fire becomes increasingly difficult to control due to oxygen.
• Flash over: All combustible material are involved in the reaction.
• Fully developed: Hard to control, maximum temperature.
• Decay: Decrease in fire intensity, fuel depleted.

Fire Extinguisher Actions

• Pull: Remove the pin to unlock the extinguisher.
• Aim: Direct the nozzle at the fire's base.
• Squeeze: Press the lever to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep: Move the nozzle from side to side to cover the fire completely.

Fire Classes

• Class C: Involves gases.
• Class D: Involves metals.
• Class E: Involves electrical apparatus.
• Class F: Involves cooking oils.