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DISASTERPREPAREDNESSPLAN

EARTHQUAKES

Earthquakes can bring mild to violentshaking and can occur anytime, anywhere.

This guide can help you protect yourself,your family, and your property before,

during, and after an earthquake.

It is important to make sure that theentire family is prepared and informed

in the event of a disaster oremergency. You may not always be

together when these events take placeand should have plans for making sure

you are able to contact and find oneanother.

Although the consequences of variousdisasters can be similar, knowing the

risks in your region can help you betterprepare. Here in the Philippines, we face

a number of hazards, such as floods inmany provinces, earthquakes in Bohol,

Cebu, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Siquijor,and Guimaras. In addition to natural

disasters, there are other types of risks,such as power outages and industrial or

transportation accidents.

KNOW THE RISK WHAT: An earthquake is

the sudden, rapid shakingof the earth, caused by the

breaking and shifting ofsubterranean rock as itreleases strain that has

accumulated over a longtime. Initial mild shaking

may strengthen andbecome extremely violentwithin seconds. Additional

earthquakes, calledaftershocks, may occurfor hours, days, or even

months. Most are smallerthan the initial earthquake

but larger magnitudeaftershocks also occur.

WHEN:Earthquakes can

happen at anytime of the

year and occurwithout

warning.WHERE:

The risk is higherin seismic zones.

IMPACT:Largerearthquakes may

cause

deaths, injuries, andextensive property

damage. Most casualtiesand injuries during an

earthquake occur when:people fall while trying to

walk or run during theshaking; when they arehit by falling, flying, or

sliding household itemsor non-structural debris;

and/or when they arestruck or trapped by

collapsing walls or otherparts of the building.

Transportation, power,water, gas, and other

services may be disrupted.In some areas, shaking

can cause liquefaction—

MAKE A PLAN Plan how to meet or how to contact one

another, and discuss what you would do.

Get information from your municipality andprovince/territory about their emergency

plans.

A.) Neighborhood Safety Plan-Work with your neighbors to identify who

may need extra help during an emergency. Tomake sure everyone is taken care of, assign

"block buddies".

B.) Emergency Exits-Draw up a floor plan of your house that showspossible exits from each room. Plan a main exit

route from each room. If you living in anapartment, USE STAIRS, NOT ELEVATORS.

C.) Meeting placesIdentify safe places where everyone shouldmeet if you cannot go home or you need to

evacuate.

HOUSEHOLDPLAN

This pageprovides anoverview ofprotective

actions to takebefore, during,

and after anearthquake.

NOTE: These adhesives, straps, hooks, latches, andother safety devices are available at most hardware

and homeimprovement stores as well as online retailers.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THAT ANEARTHQUAKE IS HAPPENING You may experience a shaking or a rollingmotion in the walls, floor, or ground. This

movement may grow more extreme withinseconds. If you do not DROP down

immediately, you may be knocked off yourfeet. You may not be able to walk or run.

Objects may fall off shelves, light fixturesmay swing or fall from ceilings, or tall

furniture may fall over. There may be dustor glass particles in the air or on the

ground. You may hear noises similar to aheavy truck or train passing nearby.

NOTE: These adhesives, straps, hooks,latches, and other safety devices are

available at most hardware and homeimprovement stores as well as online

retailers.

PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE ANEARTHQUAKE

PRACTICE Everyone

should know what to do inan earthquake and should

practice how to Drop,Cover, and Hold On.

GATHER CRITICAL DOCUMENTSOnce the

immediate danger passes,having your legal, financial,

and medical documentswill help you to receive

assistance and work withyour insurance company.

Take time now to safeguardcritical documents and

take pictures or videos ofyour belongings.

DISCUSS Talking about

disasters and helpingothers prepare makes

everyone safer. Discusswhat you have done to

prepare with your family,friends, neighbors, and

colleagues. STOREGather and store

the basic supplies yourfamily would need for at

least three days if grocerystores and other servicesare unavailable, if poweris out, or you are unableto stay in your home. A

sustained power outagecan have a significantimpact on people who

require electricity to powermedical equipment.

DROP COVER HOLD

PROTECT YOURSELF DURING ANEARTHQUAKE

PROTECT YOURSELF AFTER ANEARTHQUAKE

Once the shaking has stopped, wait a minutebefore getting up and then look around for debrisor other dangers. If you are able to safely move toexit the building and there is an open space to go

to, exit the building and avoiddamaged areas and downed power lines. For

buildings in metropolitan areas that do not havenearby open space,

it may be safer to remain in the building until youare certain you will avoid additional glass and

debris that may fallfrom nearby buildings. Remember aftershocks

may cause further damage to weakened structuresand present

hazards to those exiting buildings. Drop, Cover,and Hold On whenever you feel shaking.

Earthquakes can destroy or makebuildings and roads unsafe.

• Use extreme caution around debris. Donot attempt to remove heavy debris byyourself and assist with rescues only if

you can do so safely.

• Wear protective clothing, including along-sleeved shirt, long pants, workgloves, and sturdy, thick soled shoes

during clean-up. These will protect youfrom further injury from broken glass,

exposed nails, or other objects.

• Do not touch electrical equipment if itis wet or you are standing in water.

• Photograph or take a video of damageto your property to assist with filing an

insurance claim.

• Know that this will be an emotionaltime and it is normal to feel a little blue.

Seek help for yourself or others ifdepression or anxiety persists or seemsout of proportion for the circumstances.

• Expect aftershocks. These additional

earthquakes are usually less violent thanthe main quake but can be strong enoughto further damage weakened structures.

They can occur in the first hours, days,weeks, or even months after the quake.

Be ready to protect yourself.

REFERENCES: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-

data/1408632135401-3d0521fa59d0dd4016e82f08fe7f3732/PrepareAthon_EARTHQUAKES_HTG_FINAL_508.pdf

http://www.ready.gov/earthquakeshttp://www.fema.gov/media-library-

data/a260e5fb242216dc62ae380946806677/FEMA_plan_child_508_071513.pdf

http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/0e3ef555f66e22ab832e284f826c2e9e/FE

MA_plan_parent_508_071513.pdfhttps://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3234

http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan