Earthquakes Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Earthquakes are caused by tectonic plate movements that make the ground shift or vibrate, resulting in structural damage that can cause fires, gas leaks, collapsed buildings, flooding due to ruptured pipes, damage to bridges and other structures, and the shattering of fragile structures. Earthquakes can consist of a sequence of foreshocks and aftershocks. Commonly, public utilities and communications are disrupted by severe earthquakes, as are emergency services.

In the event of an earthquake incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Move personnel to a prearranged safe location. If no such facility is available, personnel should seek refuge under sturdy tables or door frames.
3. Where possible, gas supplies should be turned off and open flames should be quenched.
4. When warned of an earthquake potentially occurring, personnel should seek to secure all loose possessions, especially large, heavy, and breakable items.
5. During the earthquake, personnel should drop to the ground and take cover until the shaking stops, covering their heads with their arms, and positioned away from glass, windows, outside doors, and walls.
6. If outdoors, personnel should be advised to stay outside and move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires until the shaking ceases.
7. If in a moving vehicle at the time of the earthquake, personnel should stop as quickly as safety permits and remain in the vehicle. Vehicles should avoid stopping near buildings or under trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
8. After an earthquake, aftershocks may occur, as well as secondary hazards such as fires, floods, explosions, or tsunamis. Personnel should be aware that gas leaks might result in fires.
9. Personnel trapped within collapsed buildings should not light a match or move about and disturb any dust or debris; rather, they should cover their mouths with handkerchiefs or clothing and tap on a pipe to assist rescuers in locating them.
10. Account for missing staff, manage injuries, and report as per other IMP instructions.
11. Other elements of the IMP should be instigated as appropriate.
12. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups

Floods and Tidal Waves Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Flood effects may be limited to a local event, affecting an individual community in low‐lying areas or adjacent to a river, or may be widespread, affecting entire river basins. Floods may occur within a matter of minutes (flash floods), or may develop slowly over a period of days. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away buildings, vehicles, and other structures in its path, occurring with little sign of the rainfall that initiated the event. Tsunamis, also known as seismic sea waves or tidal waves, result from a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption, and occur with little if any warning. A tsunami can move hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and strike land with waves as high as 100 feet (or more).

In the event of a flood or tidal wave incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine the location of the risk, as well as the direction and the speed of the water's travel in order to evaluate the likely affected risk area.
3. Move personnel to high ground if possible. If remaining in buildings, utilities should be switched off and materials moved to the higher levels.
4. Centralize food, water, and other essential stores in an area that is protected from floodwater. Fill up bathtubs and containers with water at the start of a flood. Expect to be self‐reliant for several days.
5. Avoid areas that might channel floodwaters (e.g., low‐lying ground, wadis, riverbeds, valleys, etc.).
6. If time permits, use water barriers (e.g., sandbags, etc.) to seal doorjambs, cracks, windows, and the like to stop or slow water entering facilities.
7. Place indicators for emergency responders that personnel are trapped in buildings by using sheets, paint, and so on, stating numbers, casualties, and any support needed.
8. Monitor radio stations to track the event and its possible effects.
9. Avoid walking through moving water, as it can sweep personnel off their feet and disguise hidden hazards.
10. Avoid moving through flooded regions due to contamination and health hazards.
11. Do not drive through a flooded area, as it will disguise holes and hazards, and two feet of moving water can sweep vehicles downstream.
12. Drink only bottled or stored water; utilities may have been contaminated.
13. Be aware of secondary hazards: Pipelines (gas, water, sewer) may have been ruptured, power cables may have electrified water, and crime and health hazards may increase.
14. Implement other aspects of the IMP as appropriate.
15. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups