Brace Yourself! Insights Gained on Preparedness and Resilience
In a recent webinar organised by the Love to Nippon Project, key tactics for surviving and recovering from natural disasters were discussed. The event, titled "Be Prepared! Lessons Learned on Readiness and Resilience", marked the first program of a two-part commemoration event in recognition of the Ten-Year Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquakes and Tsunami.
The webinar featured a panel of experts and a survivor of one of the strongest earthquakes in history. Notable participants included Kevin McGowan, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, County of Los Angeles, Dr. Lucy Jones, the Founder of the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society, and Daryl L. Osby, the Fire Chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Hon. Kimiaki Toda, the Mayor of the City of Ofunato, Iwate, Japan, also joined the discussion, sharing insights from Japan's rebuilding work since 2011.
The webinar emphasised the importance of preparation before, during, and after natural disasters.
Before a Natural Disaster:
- Develop a community plan: Neighbours should meet to share risks, resources, and strategies, such as choosing a safe house, coordinating transportation to shelters, and pooling non-perishable food supplies.
- Secure your environment: Remove yard debris promptly to avoid projectiles during storms; secure outdoor furniture and equipment; ensure backup fuel (e.g., propane tanks) and dry supplies are stored properly.
- Prepare emergency supplies: Stockpile prescription medications via 90-day prescriptions if possible; assemble an emergency kit with essentials to endure power outages, damage, or help delays.
- Create defensible spaces: For fire-prone areas, clear vegetation and flammable material at least 30 feet around your home; clean gutters and roofs to reduce ignition risk.
- Plan communication and alerts: Sign up for local emergency alerts (SMS or social media) from official emergency managers to receive accurate and timely information.
During a Natural Disaster:
- Stay informed: Continuously monitor trusted local emergency alerts and updates to adapt plans accordingly.
- Protect power-dependent needs: Keep devices charged in advance for sustained communications and emergency tools.
- Follow your evacuation or shelter-in-place plan: Use pre-arranged transport or safe houses if evacuation is necessary.
After a Natural Disaster:
- Check on neighbours and community: Organise mutual aid efforts to ensure everyone has supplies and is safe.
- Practice safe cleanup: Follow guidelines for handling debris, especially hazardous materials like ash from wildfires, chemical spills, or food safety after power outages.
- Manage water and food safety: Adhere to boil water orders and purify water as needed; keep food safe using post-disaster guidelines.
These tactics reflect lessons on community coordination, resource management, environmental safety, and communication vital for holistic preparedness and resilience before, during, and after natural disasters.
The second program, titled "Words of Love and Hope to Japan", will be held on March 10, 2021, from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM (PST). For more details, please email [email protected]. The recording of the webinar is available on the official Los Angeles YouTube Channel.
David Ono, an award-winning news anchor of ABC7, moderated the webinar, while Yuko Kaifu, President of Los Angeles, emceed the event.
- In the realm of education and self-development, it's crucial to understand that environmental science plays a significant role in being prepared for natural disasters.
- As part of an art installation for the commemoration event, one could design an exhibit highlighting the effectiveness of community plans, resource management, and communication in enhancing resilience during and after natural disasters.
- To foster a holistic approach in the field of science, future educational programs could incorporate lessons learned from events such as the Great East Japan Earthquakes and Tsunami into their curriculum for a well-rounded understanding of disaster readiness and recovery.
