IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ENOUGH INFORMATION DURING CALAMITIES
Typhoon, Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, hurricanes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions are some examples of natural disasters. Such disasters cause massive loss of life, property, and many other miseries.
Having enough knowledge is very important especially when it comes to calamities/disasters. If you have enough knowledge about how to be aware when a disaster is coming, it proves that you will be prepared for the battles to come.
Benefits of being Prepared
✅ Preparation Can Limit or Prevent Certain Disasters
✅ Preparation Can Save Lives
✅ Preparation Can Reduce Fears
✅ Preparation Can Make It Easier to Recover
What to do before calamities?
1. Record and Familiarize the Disasters Hotline Department
For emergencies in the Philippines, please alert local authorities at the numbers below:
● National Emergency Hotline in the Philippines : 911.
● Philippine National Police Hotline: 117 or (02) 8722-0650.
● Philippine Red Cross: 143 or (02) 8527-8385 to 95.
● Bureau of Fire Protection: (02) 8426-0219 or (02) 8426-3812.
Zamboanga Hotlines :
● ZDS Police Hotline : 911 || 992-3187 || 992-3179 || 991-3164
● Joint Task Force Zamboanga : 957-3932 or CP # 09177102326
● Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office : 926-1848 || 955-9601
● CDRRMO - Dr. Elmeir Apolinario CP # 09177113536 || 09189357858
Emergency Medical Services : 926-1849
● PAGASA : 434-2696 || 433-8526
● PH COAST GUARD : 527-8481 to 89 || 527-3877 || 0917-724-3682 || 0918-967-4697
⁸
Pagadian City Hotlines :
● Philippine Red Cross
SUN : 0923 082 3255
GLOBE : 0966 761 5852
Telephone Hotline (062) 2141-717
● CITY PNP
SMART : 0910 934 8220
● Bureau of Fire Protection
SMART : 0938 115 1047
Dial : 160
● City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO)
SMART : 0950 505 4320
2. Be Aware
Always be up-to-date with the latest weather/disasters/calamities reports to monitor the safety of your area.
° Watch Television
° Listen to Radio Station
° Be Updated to Social Media Networks Philippines - Countries - World Disasters and Calamities News
3. Ready your Emergency Kit
Stock up your emergency kit. This includes flashlights, extra batteries, power banks, a fully-stocked first-aid kit, sanitation and hygiene items, a cell phone/s and charger/s and extra cash.
4. Ready your Necessities
Make sure to have enough food and water. Stock up on these necessities for at least a week’s worth just to be safe. Don’t forget to include a can opener or a Swiss knife to open up your canned goods. Fill up pails of water inside your bathroom in case the water supply is turned off, but be sure to put a lid on them to avoid breeding grounds of dengue mosquitos. Also, ration out the food; you don’t want to starve in case the calamities would last longer.
5. Have enough knowlege
Having enough knowledge of what and not to do will help you understand the situation easily and it will help you aware of what is needed to do. LAMANG ANG MAY ALAM!
Do's and Dont's during Calamities
Do's
✔ Stay focused and Calm
✔ Be Alert
✔ Use Your Mind and Be Wise
Do keep calm. Keep your sanity in check. You can’t save your loved ones and yourself from harm if you’re not in the right mind.
Dont's
✘ Dont Panic
✘ Don't be greedy if you can do something to help others.
First and foremost, don’t panic. Composing yourself while an calamity/ies is currently happening may be the hardest thing to do, but by keeping yourself calm during this unfortunate situation will positively save your life because your mind is on the right state. And lastly, it is very important that you save yourself but you should also remember that you are not the only one who needs help. Help others if you can, Don't be selfish.
Calamities / Disasters Awareness
◇ [ Fire Awareness ] ◇
> If you are leaving the house or sleeping, make it a habit to turn off flammable items (Switch Off you Planka/Electrical Plank, Turn Off your Lights, Candles and Other Electronic Materials like Electric Fan, Rice Cooker, Kettle, PC, Gadgets, Mobile Phone when its connected to the electricity outlet)
> When you find yourself in a fire at home, work or in school, make sure to escape the place first. When your outside and free from danger, immediately call for the fire department.
> As a responsible worker or citizen, it is always recommended to familiarize yourself with the escape routes or exits so you’ll know where to go in cases like these.
> Similar to any other emergencies, do not use the elevators during an evacuation. Smoke may be trapped inside since it’s an enclosed area and too much smoke is hazardous which may cause fatal problems.
> Always put yourself first when a fire alarm sounds. Do not collect your things while you evacuate because other than it causes extra baggage, your life can’t be replaced unlike these material things.
> When a fire alarm breaks, do not hide in any room or any closed area, but always try to find an escape route or proceed immediately to the emergency exit.
◇ [ Typhoon Awareness ] ◇
> Stay indoors. Going out with the rough weather could lead to a lot of accidents. Make sure to have everyone in a calm state to avoid injuries or worse. This includes your pets — place them inside the house where they will feel safer than outside with the elements surrounding them.
> Always be up-to-date with the latest weather reports to monitor the safety of your area.
> Ready your Emergency Kit
> Ready your Necessities
> If flooding occurs, turn off the main power. Make sure all the adults in the household know how to turn off the main power source to avoid waterlogged outlets to charge any flood water in your home.
> Don’t go through flood waters that are near live wires or waterlogged outlets. This could lead to electrocution as the electricity could charge the flood water. If the ground floor of your house is getting flooded, be sure to turn off the main power switch.
> Don’t use wet appliances or electronic devices immediately after the floods subside. Dry them out and clean them before using again as it could cause more damage to use the items while still wet.
> Don’t drink water directly. Boil water before drinking as it may be contaminated by flood water. Better safe than sorry. Also, throw out all food that may have gone bad as well as things that could be breeding grounds of mosquitos like tires, pots, etc.
What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 1:
1. Listen to your radio for more information about weather disturbance.
2. Check the ability of the house to withstand strong winds and strengthen it if necessary.
3. The people are advised to monitor the latest severe weather Bulletin issued by PAGASA every six hours. In the meantime, business may be carried out as usual except when flood occurs.
What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 2:
1. Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed movement as the cyclone may intensity and move towards the locality.
2. The general public, especially people travelling by sea and air are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks.
3. Protect properties before signals are upgraded.
4. Board up windows or put storm shutters in place and securely fasten it. Stay at home.
What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 3:
1. Keep your radio on and listen to the latest news about typhoon.
2. Everybody is advised to stay in safe and strong houses.
3. Evacuate from low-lying areas to higher grounds.
4. Stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
5. Watch out for the passage of the "EYE" of the typhoon.
What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 4:
1. Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers
2. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
3. Keep listening to your radio to the latest news about the typhoon.
What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 5:
1. Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers
2. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
◇ [ Earthquake Awareness ] ◇
> Drop, cover and hold. Drop to the ground; take cover under a stable table or any other furniture; hold on until the shaking stops. If a table or desk is unavailable then protect your head and face with your arms in an inside corner of a building or home.
> Always stay away from glass windows, doors, mirrors, falling bricks or stones to keep you safe from fatal injuries. When in an open area, keep away from unstable buildings, balconies and other projections.
> If in a moving vehicle, stop immediately when safety permits and stay inside the shelter of your vehicle. Take note not to stop near or under buildings, big trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
> Keep in mind to stay inside until the shaking stops or until it’s safe to go outside. According to research, most injuries take place when people inside buildings attempt to relocate to a different location inside any structure or try to leave.
> Always be on your toes and be alert when aftershocks follow. These aftershocks may be as strong as the previous earthquake and being complacent won’t save your worries.
◇ [ Flood Awareness ] ◇
1. Regularly monitor your radio and television for calamity news updates.
2. Prepare for enough candles, rechargeable lamps and flashlights for possible brownouts.
3. If you reside in an area near the river, waterways, or mountainsides, immediately evacuate to prevent flashfloods and landslides.
4. Store enough food, water, and first-aid kit.
5. Prepare a list of emergency hotlines.
◇ [ Tsunamis Awareness ] ◇
Tsunamis are large ocean waves generated by major earthquakes beneath the ocean floor or major landslides into the ocean. Rising to several feet or higher, they can strike the coast with devastating force. People on beaches or in low coastal areas, such as estuaries and rivers, need to be aware that a tsunami could arrive within minutes of a severe earthquake – and the danger period can continue for many hours. Tsunamis can occur any time of year, day or night.
Top Tips
- To escape a tsunami, go as high and as far as you can – ideally to a spot 100 feet above sea level or 2 miles away.
- Every foot inland or upward may make a difference!
- If you can see the wave, you are too close for safety.
Know the difference!
- A Tsunami WARNING means a tsunami may have been generated and could be close to your area.
- A Tsunami WATCH means a tsunami has not yet been verified but could exist and may be as little as an hour away.
◇ [ Landslide Awareness ] ◇
Landslide Preparedness Checklist
Be conscious of landslide and debris-flow risk when buying a home or property.
Make a disaster supply kit and have a family emergency plan.
Follow proper land-use procedures: avoid building near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways or along natural erosion valleys.
Become familiar with the land around you; learn whether debris flows have occurred in your area by contacting local officials — slopes where debris flows have occurred in the past are likely to experience them in the future.
Get a ground assessment of your property.
Consult a professional for advice on appropriate preventative measures for your home or business, such as flexible pipe fittings, which can better resist breakage.
Protect your property by planting ground cover on slopes and building retaining walls.
In mudflow areas, build channels or deflection walls to direct the flow around buildings, but be aware, if you build walls to divert debris flow and the flow lands on a neighbor's property, you may be liable for damages.
If you are at risk from a landslide talk to your insurance agent — debris flow may be covered by flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
During Heavy Rainfall or a Landslide
During heavy rain, stay alert and awake; many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings of heavy rainfall.
Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
Move away from the path of a landslide or debris flow as quickly as possible. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged heavy rains. Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge and do not cross the bridge if a mudflow is approaching.
Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.
If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream so be prepared to move quickly.
Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible.
◇ [ Hurricane Awareness ] ◇
Hurricane Season is upon us and it is important that we are prepared. Everyone is responsible for planning and protecting yourself, family and facilities.
Therefore, we at TEMA have provided a TEMA’S Hurricane Preparedness Plan which provides some simple tips to support your preparedness efforts.
Remember: Disasters don’t plan ahead, but we can do it together.
Tips for Hurricane Preparedness
1. Stock a basic emergency kit with emergency supplies such as extra non perishable food items, water and a first aid kit.
2. Clear clogged drains, gutters and downspouts to prevent the accumulation of debris, which can disrupt the free flow of water.
3. Ensure all important documents are stored in a plastic bag or zip lock bag. It may be wise to have those documents scanned and stored on a flash drive.
4. Take photographs of your valuables for insurance purposes
5. Stay alert and monitor weather updates from official sources, such as the Meteorological Service, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management.
6. Establish a family communications plan – this simply means to designate two muster points where the family will meet in the event of an emergency, both in and outside the community. It is imperative, because often times post disaster, the network goes down and it becomes impossible for families to make contact via phone.
◇ [ Wildfires Awareness ] ◇
Your Wildfire Action Plan Checklist
Create an evacuation plan that includes:
1. A designated emergency meeting location outside the fire or hazard area. This is critical to determine who has safely evacuated from the affected area.
2. Several different escape routes from your home and community. Practice these often so everyone in your family is familiar in case of emergency.
3. Have an evacuation plan for pets and large animals such as horses and other livestock.
4. A Family Communication Plan that designates an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact to act as a single source of communication among family members in case of separation. (It is easier to call or message one person and let them contact others than to try and call everyone when phone, cell, and internet systems can be overloaded or limited during a disaster.)
Be Prepared
- Have fire extinguishers on hand and train your family how to use them (check expiration dates regularly).
- Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are located and how to safely shut them down in an emergency.
- Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person, as recommended by the American Red Cross. (See next section for details.)
- Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers posted near your phone and in your emergency supply kit.
- Keep an extra Emergency Supply Kit in your car in case you cannot get to your home because of fire or other emergency.
- Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updated on the fire.
- Tell your neighbors about Ready, Set, Go! and your Wildfire Action Plan.
◇ [Volcanic Eruption Awareness] ◇
Explosive volcanoes blast hot solid and molten rock fragments and gases into the air. As a result, ashflows can occur on all sides of a volcano and ash can fall hundreds of miles downwind. Dangerous mudflows and floods can occur in valleys leading away from volcanoes. If you live near a known volcano, active or dormant, be prepared to follow instructions from your local emergency officials.
Before:
Learn about your community warning systems and emergency plans. Be prepared for the hazards that can accompany volcanoes:
▪︎Mudflows and flash floods
▪︎Landslides and rockfalls
▪︎Earthquakes
▪︎Ashfall and acid rain
▪︎Tsunamis
Make evacuation plans. If you live in a known volcanic hazard area, plan a route out and have a backup route in mind. Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a volcanic eruption (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask someone outside your immediate area, a relative or friend to serve as the “family contact,” because after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Have disaster supplies on hand:
▪︎ Flashlight and extra batteries
▪︎ First aid kit and manual
▪︎ Emergency food and water
▪︎ Non-electric can opener
▪︎ Essential medicines
▪︎ Dust mask
▪︎ Sturdy shoes
▪︎ Get a pair of goggles and a throw-away breathing mask for each member of the household in case of ashfall.
▪︎ Contact your local emergency management office for more information on volcanoes.
During:
Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities. Avoid areas downwind and river valleys downstream of the volcano.
If caught indoors:
▪︎ Close all windows, doors, and dampers
▪︎ Put all machinery inside a garage or barn.
▪︎ Bring animals and livestock into closed shelters.
▪︎ If caught in a rockfall, roll into a ball to protect your head.
▪︎ If caught near a stream, be aware of mudflows. Move up slope, especially if you hear the roar of a mudflow.
Protect yourself during ashfall:
▪︎ Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
▪︎ Use goggles to protect your eyes.
▪︎ Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help breathing.
▪︎ Keep car or truck engines off.
▪︎ Stay out of the area defined as a restricted zone by government officials. Effects of a volcanic eruption can be experienced many miles from a volcano. Mudflows and flash flooding, wildland fires, and even deadly hot ashflow can reach you even if you cannot see the volcano during an eruption. Avoid river valleys and low lying areas. Trying to watch an erupting volcano up close is a deadly idea.
▪︎ Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information.
After:
▪︎ If possible stay away from volcanic ashfall areas.
When outside:
▪︎ Cover your mouth and nose. Volcanic ash can irritate your respiratory system.
▪︎ Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
▪︎ Keep skin covered to avoid irritation from contact with ash.
▪︎ Clear roofs of ashfall. Ashfall is very heavy and can cause buildings to collapse. Exercise great caution when working on a roof. Avoid driving in heavy ash fall. Driving will stir up more ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles. If you have a respiratory ailment, avoid contact with any amount of ash. Stay indoors until local health officials advise it is safe to go outside. Remember to help your neighbours who may require special assistance — infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
REMINDER : Prepare For the Extreme
By the time severe weather/calamities hits, it's already too late. Disaster preparedness is about having an established safety plan. Whether it's preparedness for floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or fires, the key to survival in disasters is planning. Use our preparedness section to stay informed, make a plan, and most importantly—remain safe in an emergency and composed your mind.
REMEMBER : Preparation and planning will make a significant difference in being safe.
Sources :
Example of Disasters : https:///chapters/58936
Dos and Donts : https://weekend.sunstar.com.ph/blog/2017/07/23/dos-donts-disaster-strikes/
Disasters Hotline Departments
Philippines : https:///u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/emergency-assistance/
Zamboanga : CTO
Pagadian City : https://www.facebook.com/100069346414065/posts/162011146120432/
Awareness
Typhoon, Fire and Earthquake : https://weekend.sunstar.com.ph/blog/2017/07/23/dos-donts-disaster-strikes/
Typhoon and Flood : https://mmda.gov.ph/20-faq/288-disaster-awareness-faq.html
Tsunami : https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tsunami.html
Landslide : https://www.wunderground.com/prepare/landslide
Hurricanes - http://www.tema365.com/web/news/hurricane-preparedness-tips/
Wildfire : https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-set/wildfire-action-plan/
Volcanic Eruption : https://survive-it.co.nz/information/emergency-preparedness-info/volcanic-eruption/?amp
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