1 Laura Kong Director, UNESCO IOC ITIC Trinidad, June 2007 Effective and Reliable End-to-End Tsunami Warning Systems: Tsunami Emergency Effective and Reliable End-to-End Tsunami Warning Systems: Tsunami Emergency Response SOP Response SOP

Tsunami Emergency Response Tsunami Emergency Response Concept of Operations - “End to End” TEWS Success measured by ability to rapidly move people out of harm’s way DMO at all government levels require pre-event development of documents describing responses / actions Response Plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Checklists enable quick 24x7 action to alert communities (and conduct evacuation)

What are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ? Set of written instructions Document a routine, or repetitive activity followed by organization. SOP - real time procedure followed in case of an emergency. Detail work processes conducted or followed within an organization.

EOC SOP - CHECKLISTS Procedures Procedures Action Criteria Action Criteria Scenario Flow Charts Scenario Flow Charts Checklists Checklists Scripts Scripts Decision-making Decision-making Call-down lists Call-down lists Message Defn Message Defn Dissemination Dissemination Communications Communications to make Reliable, redundant to make Reliable, redundant

5 SOP - Important points Emergency Managers at local level (usually) responsible for SOPs for different bulletin types Strong understanding of bulletin types ensures that TWC bulletin information is directly linked to DMO SOP Once issued, safety action must reach people rapidly. SOP coordinate warning messages quickly Multiple communication channels ( high / low tech) used to ensure message is received

6 Communication & Transmission of Tsunami Warning to Localities & Civil Defense Authorities Signboard Tsunami TSUNAMI WARNING Central Government TV / Radio Station TSUNAMI WARNING Radio TV （ Telops, Warning maps ） TSUNAMI WARNING Local government Cabinet Office Japan

7 What should the Public do? Keys: – –If time, then educate so that warning means evacuate inland or to higher ground – –If no time, consider policy for vertical evacuation to reinforced concrete buildings Local Tsunami (saving people near EQ epicenter): First Line of Defense is Public awareness and education

8 Examples of Notification Systems Use of Mass Media (Radio, Television) Siren Towers First Responders (i.e. Police, Fire, Lifeguards) Public Loudspeakers on building (Mosques) SMS Text Messaging – Telephone Companies Emergency Telephone Call Lists (public and private sectors) Amateur Radio Organizations Military Resources - Helicopters and Aircraft w/ Speakers RANET – Worldspace broadcasts (satellite) received on computers Worldspace Emergency Alert radios (receive satellite broadcast on emergency channel)

9 Alert & Warning Technology assists people-based warnings Getting warning to responders Getting warning to public Use drills and exercises for training Conduct drills in the community Test the notification systems

10 LOCAL TSUNAMI WARNING – EXAMPLE: RADIO BROADCAST SCRIPT “The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued Tsunami Warning for the Islands of (select islands or geographical location). A local tsunami has been generated. Immediately evacuate all beaches and all low lying coastal areas. Move inland to higher ground or move to the 3 rd floor and above in reinforced concrete buildings. I Repeat, …..

11 Coordination of Tsunami Evacuation Zones Encourage exit walking (not riding) out of Evacuation Zones Encourage exit walking (not riding) out of Evacuation Zones Develop and activate a mobile ground/air/ sea Plan to disseminate evacuation notices Develop and activate a mobile ground/air/ sea Plan to disseminate evacuation notices Develop and activate a Traffic Management and Roadblock Plan Develop and activate a Traffic Management and Roadblock Plan Develop and activate a Public Transit Evacuation Plan Develop and activate a Public Transit Evacuation Plan Develop and activate a Shelter Evacuation Centers Plan Develop and activate a Shelter Evacuation Centers Plan

12 When can the Public Return? “All Clear” When can the Public Return? “All Clear” Once public evacuates, local public officials must inform when it is safe to return by broadcasting “All Clear” If area received little or no damage, “All Clear” broadcast after TWC warning cancelled If severely damaged, it may be many hours / days before before “All Clear” Reasons: Debris, roads impassable, gas/electric lines down, search / rescue operations carried out

13 TSUNAMI STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION COMMITTEE (all levels) - topics Reduce risk of tsunamis - coordination / implementation of “end to end” TEWS. Address Hazard ID, Risk Assessment, Warning Guidance, Public Awareness, Mitigation Improve public policy, TERP / SOPs, public affairs and media / education outreach. Involve scientists, engineers, planners, emergency managers, public affairs personnel, NGO’s, other public / private sectors

14 Training Exercises (1) Goal: Goal: To identify, evaluate, and improve organizational weaknesses / gaps in organizational weaknesses / gaps in Plans, Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, Communications, Interagency Coordination Plans, Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, Communications, Interagency Coordination Purpose: Purpose: To evaluate the ability to respond to a local, regional, or ocean-wide tsunami.

Thank You IOC Executive Secretary: Dr. Patricio Bernal IOC Executive Secretary: Dr. Patricio Bernal IOC Paris (Tsunami): Dr. Peter Koltermann, Head Masahiro Yamamoto, Senior Tsunami Advisor Dr. Uli Wolf Bernardo Aliaga CARIBE-EWS: CARIBE-EWS: Secretariat: Bernardo Aliaga Secretariat: Bernardo Aliaga Chair: Trinidad & Tobago Chair: Trinidad & Tobago Vice-Chair: USA, Venezuela Vice-Chair: USA, Venezuela IOC ITIC: Dr. Laura Kong, Director ITIC: PTWS Secretariat: ITIC, ioc3.unesco.org/ptws Chair; Vice-Chair: Chile, Canada