Important issues and solutions for disaster preparedness: Disaster prevention issues faced by local governments and companies and the latest solutions

Important issues in disaster prevention and risk management

Current status and issues of disaster prevention in local governments and companies

Japan is a country prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rains. Local governments and companies are required to implement disaster prevention measures appropriate to their respective roles, but the current situation is that their response is slow. Local governments need to provide evacuation guidance and information to protect the lives and livelihoods of local residents. Meanwhile, companies need to ensure the safety of employees and prepare for business continuity, and companies in urban areas in particular face a variety of risks. Many local governments and companies still have insufficient efforts at disaster prevention, and there is an urgent need to develop more specific and effective disaster prevention plans.

Optimizing natural disaster risk and disaster prevention plans

When creating a disaster prevention plan, it is important to understand the risks specific to the region, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods, and to prepare appropriate countermeasures for each disaster. The countermeasures differ between areas with frequent earthquakes and areas where flooding due to typhoons is a concern. By using hazard maps published by local governments and checking the geographical conditions and past disaster history, you can clearly identify anticipated risks. It is essential that the plan clearly state the actions to be taken at each stage of the plan, from initial response, to preventing damage from spreading, to recovery and reconstruction, and that it be reviewed regularly.

Developing disaster response personnel and resolving the shortage

Effective disaster response requires trained personnel. It is particularly important for local governments and companies to develop disaster prevention leaders, and it is desirable to have a system in place where these leaders can act as leaders and promote cooperation both inside and outside the company. However, there is currently a shortage of disaster prevention personnel due to a lack of experience and the workload. For this reason, local governments and companies need to utilize training and support from external experts to prepare their staff and employees so that they can take appropriate action in the event of a disaster.

Disaster prevention measures and policies to enhance their effectiveness

The importance of formulating and updating disaster prevention plans

Disaster prevention plans are meaningless if they are simply formulated. It is important to focus on whether the plan can actually be used, and to review it according to the situation on the ground and changes in the organization. In the event of a disaster, it is necessary to smoothly execute the actions planned in advance, but if there are not specific guidelines for action, confusion will occur during the disaster. For companies, it is important to clarify the roles of each position and department, and for local governments, it is important to thoroughly consider how to provide information to residents.

Preparation of disaster manuals and how to publicize them

Many local governments and companies have prepared disaster manuals, but the issue is that they are not widely known by staff and employees. To prepare the manuals, it is effective to clearly explain the steps to take in an emergency and hold actual evacuation drills and seminars so that all staff can understand them. It is also important to prepare a system where the manuals can be viewed at any time on mobile phones and tablets so that they can be viewed not only on paper but also on digital devices.

Appropriate management and use of disaster preparedness supplies

Stockpiles of supplies needed in the event of a disaster must be managed and used on a daily basis. Emergency food and water stockpiled by companies and local governments must be regularly checked for expiration dates and replaced. In addition, they should be placed in a planned manner, taking into consideration preservation and frequency of use, so that they can be useful in emergencies immediately after a disaster. Companies, in particular, can reduce confusion after a disaster by encouraging employees to be aware of stockpiles not only in the office but also at home.

Technologies and solutions for effective disaster prevention

Strengthening risk management through the use of hazard maps

Hazard maps are important tools to understand disaster risks in advance and consider countermeasures. Hazard maps published by local governments show areas at risk of flooding and landslides. Residents and businesses should use this information to check evacuation routes and evacuation shelters in the event of a disaster and share them with their colleagues and families. In recent years, these maps have also become easily accessible online, and there are an increasing number of services that use GPS-based apps to provide instant confirmation in the event of a disaster.

Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Development and Implementation

A BCP (Business Continuity Plan) is a plan for companies to continue their business even in the event of a disaster. For example, it clarifies how to instantly grasp the damage situation, determine the priorities of work, and secure the minimum necessary resources. It is also important that BCP includes the implementation of telecommuting and remote work. Furthermore, BCP should not be just a document, but should be reviewed regularly with training so that employees can carry it out.

Digital technology-driven information gathering and early warning

In recent years, cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT have played an important role in disaster prevention measures. For example, disaster monitoring systems using drones and sensors are becoming more practical, making it possible to predict risks and issue warnings early when disasters occur. There are also systems that use big data to support demand forecasts and efficient distribution of supplies during disasters. By utilizing these technologies, companies and local governments can prepare for disaster responses, which require rapid and accurate judgment.

Issues and solutions for managing evacuation shelters

Practical aspects of evacuation shelter management and long-term living arrangements

Evacuation shelters are places where many disaster victims can live safely temporarily, but operating them comes with many challenges. In particular, it is important to improve the environment of evacuation shelters and manage the health of evacuees during prolonged evacuation. As the number of evacuees increases a few days after a disaster, local governments must expand their reception systems and be prepared to quickly provide supplies and medical support.

Problems faced during disasters include water outages, power outages, and shortages of supplies

In evacuation shelters, there is a high possibility that water and power outages will occur, making it difficult to manage supplies. While securing power supplies and drinking water is essential for life in an evacuation shelter, local governments and local residents must work together to secure alternative means that can be used in emergencies. It is important to review the stockpiles of water, power supplies, chargers, and other items.

Infection control measures and operational improvements at evacuation shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic

In light of the impact of COVID-19, infection prevention measures are being given even more importance in evacuation shelters. It is important to arrange evacuees' shelters in a way that allows them to maintain a certain distance from one another, and it is also important to install air purifiers and improve ventilation. It is also essential to stockpile infection prevention supplies and thoroughly disinfect hands, and to create a system in which people who are feeling unwell can receive immediate treatment.

Utilizing digital technology and future disaster prevention

Demand forecasting and supply procurement using AI and big data analysis

By using big data and AI, demand forecasts and procurement of supplies after a disaster can be carried out more quickly and accurately. Past disaster data can be used to predict demand in affected areas, helping to streamline logistics and secure supplies that tend to be in short supply. It is worthwhile for local governments and companies to consider using this type of data to improve their disaster response capabilities.

The effectiveness of using SNS and open data and countermeasures against hoaxes

The use of social media and open data has become an important means of gathering information during disasters. For example, social media such as Twitter collects real-time information posted by disaster victims. However, as rumors and misinformation are also mixed in, it is necessary to be careful of official accounts and reliable sources of information and to calmly select and discard information. Local governments are also encouraged to consider strengthening measures against rumors.

summary

Disaster prevention involves many challenges, and it is essential that local governments, companies, and individuals prepare in their own way. A wide range of areas need to be addressed, including formulating disaster prevention plans and BCPs, managing stockpiles, and utilizing digital technology. In addition, the latest digital technology and social media can be used to respond quickly after a disaster occurs. Disaster risks are expected to continue to increase in the future, so we must raise disaster prevention awareness throughout society and thoroughly prepare for disasters.