The recent New Zealand earthquake that struck Christchurch that has impacted many homes and businesses got me thinking about it and Hurricane Earl. For Earl there were days of warning to allow people and businesses to prepare their properties and to evacuate out of harms way. For the New Zealand earthquake it was "come as you are."
What if we were able to have one (1) hours warning of an earthquake, what would we say or do as emergency managers? It of course depends on the time of day and the type of jurisdiction you serve. Here is a partial list of what I came up with. Not all would work all the time.
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What if we were able to have one (1) hours warning of an earthquake, what would we say or do as emergency managers? It of course depends on the time of day and the type of jurisdiction you serve. Here is a partial list of what I came up with. Not all would work all the time.
- Recall Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and have them at the EOC when the quake hits (I hope your EOC is survivable)
- Dispatch liaisons to other EOCs, e.g. State EOC
- Divert aircraft from the impacted area and direct them to land at other airports outside the impacted areas
- If possible have ships tied up at docks put out to sea--if possible
- Direct those tasks that are hazardous to cease. Examples might include, loading and unloading ferries, hazardous materials operations, refining operations
- The big challenge is what do you tell individuals. Do you tell them to remain inside of unreinforced masonry buildings, or send them into the streets and put them in danger from falling glass or bricks.
- In some areas where there is a safe assembly area outside that might be a good solution for example for schools that have play fields adjacent to their structures.
- For people driving--this is a tough one. Avoid bridges and underpasses? I don't think there would be many people traveling on Highway 99 through Seattle on the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
- Stop all train traffic
- How about stopping traffic five minutes before the shaking commences? That would be a very good prediction and you would want your watch to be synchronized.
- Put out radio messages for first responders on radio discipline
- Pull all fire apparatus out of their fire stations and pre-position them in their areas of coverage.
- Recall all first responders to work
- Confirm the location of all decision makers
- Would you evacuate a major sports stadium? Again, for Quest Field and Safeco Field in Seattle I would. The Seattle Fault Zone runs right through the stadium district.
- Put out an EAS message that includes directions to not call 911 except to request assistance
- The list goes on!
