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- From the risk manager's perspective, the purpose of

Risk, Disaster, and Humanitarian risk communication is to help residents of affected
Communication Reviewer communities understand the processes of risk
assessment and management, to form scientifically valid
Risk - the chance of something happening that will have perceptions of the likely hazards, and to participate in
a negative effect. The level of risk reflects: the likelihood making decisions about how risk should be managed.
of an unwanted event. the potential consequences of Risk communication tools are written, verbal, or visual
the unwanted event. statements containing information about risk.

5x5 Risk Matrix - They should put a particular risk in context, possibly
add comparisons with other risks, include advice about
Highly Likely (91% above) - Almost certain to occur; have risk reduction behavior, and encourage a dialogue
high chance to happen. between the sender and receiver of the message. The
Likely (61%-91%) - Have a chance to happen so it needs best risk communication occurs in contexts where the
careful monitoring. participants are informed, the process is fair, and the
Possible (41%-61%) - May happen half the time that participants are free and able to solve whatever
also needs attention. communication difficulties arise. Ideally, risk
Unlikely (11%-40%) - Have less possibility of happening. communication is a two-way conversation in which an
Highly Unlikely - Almost certain chance to not happen. agency or organization informs, and is informed by,
affected community members.
Note: In case the company only uses 3x3 matrix, risk is
weighted through: Unlikely, Likely, and Highly Likely. GROUP 1
Communication Theory
Risk Mitigation- The process of planning for disasters
and having a way to lessen negative impacts. Although Crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) - is
the principle of risk mitigation is to prepare a business for the process of understanding public perceptions and, in
all potential risks, a proper risk mitigation plan will weigh response, developing messages to address public
the impact of each risk and prioritize planning around concern and provide information on how to respond to a
that impact. These what reduces the probability and disaster to minimize morbidity and mortality.
impact of risk situations:
1. Trust Determination Theory
a) Avoidance
b) Control - states that trust is the most potent factor
c) Transference influencing how people make risk-related
d) Monitoring and Review decisions and that only when trust and
e) Identification and Acceptance credibility are established can we rely on the risk
information that we receive.
Risk Communication - the process of informing - the more trusted the source of information, the
people about potential hazards to their person, more acceptable will be the messages,
messengers, and channels for acquiring
property, or community. Scholars define risk
information.
communication as a science-based approach for - factors such as empathy, caring, dedication,
communicating effectively in situations of high stress, commitment, competence, expertise, honesty,
high concern, or controversy. and openness, which are noticed very quickly
by stakeholders, are vital for us to accept a risk
a) Ecological Risk Assessment message as credible
 Risk Characterization
- credible third-party endorsement is a valuable
 Scoping and Planning part of this model
 Problem Formulation
 Stressor response and exposure - another credible source supports the risk
analysis communicator; it becomes easier for us to trust
in the messenger and what he has to say

- theory implies that people who are upset tend to

distrust the messenger of the information,
b) Human Health Risk Assessment therefore, trust must be built with the public over
time
 Risk Characterization
 Scoping and Planning 2. Risk Perception Theory
 Acute Hazards
 Toxicity (Hazard Identification and Dose- - states that risks are generally more or less
response) worrisome, fearful, and acceptable if perceived
 Exposure Assessment to have certain characteristics, these
characteristics concern such qualities as
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familiarity, uncertainty, scope, origin, and assigned to them

benefits
5. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication
- states that many factors affect how we (CERC) Model
perceive risks
- it focuses on identifying the most exigent public
- outrage factors include emotions like worry,
anger, anxiety, fear, and hostility, and how, - aims to provide people with the information they
when coupled with risk and hazard, can need to make lifesaving decisions in critical
change our attitudes and behavior situations

- it is crucial for risk communicators to - designed around the psychological processes

understand and speak to people’s emotions of people affected by, responding to, or
and not just their questions concerning a real observing a crisis
or perceived risk
- helps to provide the public with information to
- concludes that the level of concern among the make the best decisions and to accept the
public is strongest when the situation is imperfect nature of choice, under incredibly
involuntary, not beneficial, out of a person’s challenging time constraints
control, or associated with adverse outcomes
- help the organization and the community
3. Mental Noise Theory prepare for, respond to, and recover from an
emergency by using CERC’s six main
- states that people who are upset or in high- principles: be first, be right, be credible, express
stress situations often have great empathy, promote action, and show respect
difficulty processing information—hearing,
understanding, and remembering the
messaging
6. Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP)
- focuses on how we process communication - RISP measures information insufficiency or the
during stressful conditions and how this stress "gap" between what people believe they know
limits our attention and ability to understand and how much they believe they need to know
them just like Risk Perception Theory, to feel adequately confident in their judgments
emotions may drive our decision-making about how to appropriately mitigate risk.
abilities, and only by packaging the risk
messages in very specific ways can they - The RISP model suggests that active seeking
reach the intended stakeholders and systematic processing of risk information
are primarily motivated by one's psychological
- experts conclude that messaging in this regard need for information sufficiency.
should be concise, using visual aids when
possible, and repeated to help people - The RISP model posits that beliefs about the
remember available information channels and perceptions
of one's ability to gather information effectively
4. Negative Dominance Theory will moderate the link between the perceived
information gap and a person's information
- states that people under stress put much more seeking and processing intentions.
weight on negative information than on
positive information, therefore, negative 7. Situational Crisis Communication Theory
thoughts, words, and feelings dominate their (SCCT)
reactions in high- concern/low-trust situations
- According to the Institute for Public Relations, a
- three to four positive or constructive messages crisis is something that has “a significant risk or
are typically needed to offset negative threat to operations that can have negative
information consequences if not handled properly.” Put
another way, when unexpected (or unprepared
- it is a must to employ positive messages at for) problems upend a company’s stability, a
every opportunity so that our risk information crisis can result.
receives more attention and is remembered
- SCCT identifies response strategies that
- implies that individuals under stress are likely organizations can use to handle a crisis. It's
to see all situations in a negative light and based on who was responsible for causing the
communications should avoid too many crisis as well as how significant the threat is to
negative words so that greater value is not the business's reputation.
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- According to situational crisis communication Stealing Thunder

theory, there are six main types of crisis
response communication strategies: bolster,  Borrowed from legal strategies, stealing thunder
deny, diminish, and rebuild, internal crisis means that a company points out one of its flaws
communication and stealing thunder. before another party or the media is able to. This
reduces the reputation damage to the company.
Bolster Some managers feel it’s unnecessary to disclose
negative information that may never get out.
The company positions itself as an asset to However, it’s the smartest option when a
stakeholders. It thanks stakeholders for their loyalty and company is fully aware of problems that could
reminds them of the positive outcomes from the past. become critical.
Use the bolster strategy with any type of crisis and
combine it with another response strategy. It’s 8. Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF)
particularly useful with victim crises.
- An established theoretical tool for understanding
how risks is perceived, interpreted, and amplified
or attenuated as they are communicated
Deny throughout a society (Kasperson et al., 1988,
Pidgeon, 2002).
When a company isn’t to blame for a crisis, they
confront the situation, so it doesn’t escalate. When - SARF highlights the social context that
using the deny strategy, the company confronts its encompasses factors that may amplify or
accusers, saying that either a crisis doesn’t exist, or attenuate the risk involving two main stages: “the
another party is to blame. This response strategy is transfer of information about the risk or risk
best for a victim crisis when there are harmful and event, and the response mechanisms of society”
untrue accusations.
- Social amplification may qualitatively and
Diminish quantitatively increase not only signals about the
If the company played a role in the crisis, the diminish risk but also perceptions of risk, behaviors related
strategy minimizes its responsibility. The company may to the risk, as well as the risk itself and its
make reasonable excuses or justify their actions. The consequences (Funtowicz & Ravetz, 1990;
diminish strategy is best for victim crises when the Kasperson et al., 1988). For this reason, social
company plays a minor role. It also applies to accident amplification of risk should be included in analyses
crises, so long as the company doesn’t have a history of public and regulatory reactions to risk events.
of similar crises. The key amplification stages are posited as:

Rebuild  filtering signals (only a fraction of all incoming

information is actually processed).
When applying the rebuild communication theory, the  decoding and reframing the signals.
company will:  processing risk information (e.g., drawing
inferences);
 Take responsibility for the crisis
 attaching social values to information as a basis
 Apologize for drawing implications for management and
 Offer appropriate compensation to those
policy; and
affected
 behavioral change of individuals and institutions.
By redeeming its reputation, the company can hopefully
- Signals arise through direct personal experience with a
rebuild its relationship with stakeholders. This is best for
risk object or through the receipt of information about the
accidents and preventable crises, especially if the
hazard from the information ecosystem and/or personal
company’s reputation or relationships are severely
networks. These signals are processed by social, as well
damaged.
as individual, amplification channels that include:
Internal Crisis Communication

This one has to do with how employees learn about the  the scientist who conducts and communicates
crisis and their response actions. There are two main the technical assessment of risk.
goals with this strategy:  risk management institutions.
 social media channels and platforms and the
 Mitigate how much stress employees are under. traditional print and broadcast news media.
 Show employees how they can become brand  activist social organizations.
ambassadors during this time.  opinion leaders within social groups (e.g.,
influencers)
During a crisis, employees want to know what the
 personal networks of peer groups.
company is doing in response, both generally and in the
 public agencies.
specific ways that affect them.
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- Social amplification stations generate and transmit GROUP 2

information via communication channels (traditional Types of Disaster& Communication Strategies
media, social media, and direct conversations). In
addition, each recipient also engages in amplification or Types of disasters and disaster emergencies
attenuation processes, thereby acting as an
amplification station for risk related presentation.
1. Natural

- It is also referred to as natural hazards are extreme,

sudden events caused by environmental factors. It is an
9. Image Restoration or Repair Theory event that causes damage or loss of life.

- When an image is threatened, the reputation of the - According to the International Federation of Red Cross
victim is at risk, and thus the image restoration theory & Red Crescent Societies, Natural Disasters are naturally
offers a solution to this problem. At times, organizations, occurring phenomena caused by events that have
and individuals face threats to their reputation, and in immediate impacts on human health and secondary
impacts causing further death and suffering.
such cases, they have to invoke the image restoration
theory’s provisions to restore their reputation. A. Geological Disasters: natural disasters caused by
a geological process.
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to Examples: Avalanche, Landslides, Earthquake, Sinkhole,
ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things Volcanic Eruption
differently.” -Warren Buffet
B. Hydrological Disasters: these are hazards
- Image repair theory, also known as image restoration caused by hydrological (water) processes and
are known as hydrological hazards.
theory, shares a focus on rebuilding an organization’s Examples: Flood, Mudslide, Tsunami
reputation when it has been damaged by a crisis.
C. Meteorological Disasters: these are caused by
- Communications scholar William Benoit originated meteorological (i.e., weather) phenomena,
image restoration theory in his 1995 book Accounts, particularly those related to temperature and
Excuses, and Apologies: A Theory of Image Restoration wind.
Examples: Cyclone, Hurricane, Freezing Rain
Strategies, which focuses on the messages a company
should communicate during a crisis. He offers five D. Biological Disasters: these are hazards that arise
categories of image repair as a result of biological processes. This
strategies: denial, evasion of responsibility, reducing comprises a wide range of diseases, including
perceived offensiveness of the action (such as with infectious diseases that move from person to
compensation), corrective action, and mortification person and affect a vast population of people.
(confessing and begging forgiveness). Biological hazards are often left out of
discussions about natural hazards, instead of
falling under the purview of medicine and public
10. Stakeholder Theory of Crisis Management health.
Example: Disease Epidemics, Insect/Animal Plagues
- Emphasizes the need for a stakeholder-oriented
approach to pre- crisis, crisis, and post-crisis 2. Man-made
management. Terrorism - the unlawful use of force or violence against
persons or property to intimidate or coerce a
- In 2009, Alpaslan, Mitroff, and Sandy Green published government or its citizens to further certain political or
a theory that focused on the role of stakeholders in social objectives. Example: Twin Tower Bombing 9/11
crisis management. They argued for including
stakeholders in crisis preparations and responses — Arson - any willful or malicious burning or attempting
to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling
not because of their power or influence on financial house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft,
value, but due to factors such as potential for injury. personal property of another, etc. Example: Resorts
World Manila Attack
- In the context of risk management, adopting the
principles of a stakeholder model of corporate Civil Disorder - a public disturbance involving acts of
governance will lead companies to engage more violence by assemblages of three or more persons,
which causes an immediate danger of or results in
frequently in proactive and/or accommodating risk
damage or injury to the property or person of any
mitigation action even if these risk mitigation procedures individual. Example: Kidapawan Jail Siege
are not perceived to maximize shareholder value.
War - violent conflict between states or nations.
Risk Cases that Applied Risk Communication Example: World War I and World War II

1) Covid 19 Pandemic lesson from Dengue Controversy Cyber Attack - A cyber-attack is any attempt to gain
unauthorized access to a computer, computing system,
(2020-2022) or computer network with the intent to cause damage.
2) Flood Homes Eg. WannaCry Ransomware
3) Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (1986)
4) Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (2014-2016) Structural Collapse - When the internal load bearing
5) Tylenol Poisoning Crisis (1982) structural elements fails, a building will collapse into
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itself, and exterior walls are pulled into the falling - Environmental instability
structure. - Demographic instability
Eg. Manila Film Center
Characteristics of Complex Humanitarian Disaster
Road Transportation Disasters - Transportation
disasters may be associated with a range of kinetic,
thermal, and/or toxic hazards and can occur as the - Multiple Disaster Types
result of a collisions, engineering flaws, mechanical - Interconnected Challenges
failure, weather, fires, explosions, and/or human - Humanitarian and Societal Impact
behavior. - Resource Strain
Eg. Rizal Day Bombing
- Decision-Making Complexity
Aerial Disasters - a very serious air crash in which in a - Public Health and Safety Concerns
lot of people are killed or injured. - Environmental Impact
Eg. Cebu Pacific Flight 387 - Socioeconomic Implications
Examples of CHEs in the Philippines
Maritime Disasters - an event which usually involves a
 Bohol Earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda
ship or ships and can involve military action.
Eg. MV Princess of the Stars  Super Typhoon Goni (Rolly) and Vamco (Ulysses)
in 2020
Power Outtage - the loss of the electrical power network  COVID-19 Pandemic
supply to an end user. Disaster Management
Eg. Typhoon Yolanda and Ondoy
- a thorough, methodical strategy for handling
Industrial Hazard - any condition/substance produced by emergencies, whether they are caused by the
industries that may cause injury or death to personnel or
environment or people. It is supported by actual
loss of product or property
research on previous disasters and how people
Eg. Mount Lablab tunnel collapse
responded to them.

- Essentially, disaster management involves four

Radiation Poisoning/Contamination - Radioactive
aspects of crisis coordination: Prevention, Preparation,
materials released into the environment can cause air,
Crisis response, and Emergency recovery efforts.
water, surfaces, soil, plants, buildings, people, or
animals to become contaminated.
Eg. Pripyat Chernobyl and The Demon Core Incident Importance of Disaster Management

Biological/Chemical Threat - Biological and toxin - Organizations can be better equipped to handle crises
weapons are either microorganisms like virus, bacteria and guarantee the public receives timely and accurate
or fungi, or toxic substances produced by living information during trying times by creating a complete
organisms that are produced and released deliberately disaster communication system and putting it into place
to cause disease and death in humans, animals or before an emergency arises.
plants.
Eg. Anthrax Outbreak in Sverdlovsk Smallpox in Native - Effective crisis management requires a solid crisis
Americans Crack Epidemic communication strategy.

Environmental Disaster - serious impacts, damages. - A disaster communication strategy should include
and losses, initiating in some or the other environmental specific goals, procedures, and tactics for disseminating
systems or resources. Eg. The Great Pacific Garbage information during a crisis. To guarantee that important
Patch information reaches the public as soon as feasible and
accurately, it should include rules for both proactive and
3. Combined reactive communication.

Complex Humanitarian Emergency - Foster trust in crisis communications

- This is a type of disaster event that is caused by and - Counter hazardous misinformation
results in a complicated set of social, medical, and
often political circumstances, usually leading to great - Give the public the facts they need during a crisis
human suffering and death and requiring external
assistance and aid.
8 Steps to Developing a Successful Disaster
- Complex humanitarian emergencies (CHEs) are Communication Plan
associated with a variety of factors, such as war,
poverty, overpopulation, human-caused environmental 1. Anticipate Possible Disasters
destruction and change, and natural disasters.
- The United Nations (UN) considers a CHE to be a - Communication and disaster officials can create lists of
crisis involving multiple causes and requiring a broad prospective scenarios based on past catastrophes and
and integrated response with long-term political and their consequences, as well as any environmental and
peacekeeping efforts. social information they may have on the community,
even if it may be hard to foresee the precise time and
Main Types of Instabilities that Cause CHEs kind of a disaster.
- Political instability - Officials may conduct disaster risk assessments, which
- Economic instability use qualitative or quantitative data to determine the
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severity and nature of anticipated future disasters, in identify possible stakeholders and tailor their messaging
order to properly prepare for disasters. This is often to make sure it is appropriate for various audiences.
accomplished by reviewing existing circumstances and
prospective risk factors that might affect the impact of a Potential stakeholders may include:
disaster.
Disaster survivors
- Officials in charge of disasters should record the News and media outlets
results of risk assessments and use them to develop Nearby communities
communication plans that take into account the most Local businesses and corporations
likely outcomes. Additionally, if possible, they should Government officials
keep an eye out for disaster warning indicators.
- Communities frequently consist of a varied range of
2. Assemble a Team and Identify Spokespeople people whose native tongue may not be English. Crisis
communications should be tailored by emergency
- All parties involved must understand what to do for a management personnel to cover all languages spoken in
disaster communication strategy to function well. The their communities.
team in charge of the communication plan should
present a unified approach with reliable information. - When addressing a specific audience with crisis
This makes it crucial to put together a team of communication, disaster managers should consider
responders and choose spokesmen for different parts of specific demographic data.
the strategy.
Targeted messages should be accessible to a wide
- Spokespeople should: Be well- informed about the range of people and show respect for:
disaster, display genuine empathy, be prepared to field
any questions regarding the disaster, and have Age, including those who are children and those who
decision-making authority are older adults
Geographic risks, including places at risk for flooding,
3. Establish a Coordinated Action Plan wildfire, and other hazards
Language
- Officials in charge of communications and Disabilities
management during disasters will probably have to
work with other teams, including emergency 6. Stay up to date
responders, local authorities, and others. A coordinated
plan for the catastrophe response should take into - Officials in charge of disaster management must
account the contributions of all parties concerned. communicate rapidly. Regular updates help
communication officials and the general public develop
- To avoid confusion, established procedures and credibility and trust.
protocols should already be in place before the
emergency communication plan is made widely - During catastrophes, people and their families deserve
available. This will assist lay out roles and duties for quick, reliable information so they can make decisions
each group to assume. In the wake of a tragedy, this that could save lives.
can present a unified front and guarantee that the public
is kept informed about the reaction and who is in charge - Officials in charge of disaster and crisis management
of what. should hold press conferences for a variety of media
outlets to provide timely updates so that the public may
4. Create a Clear Message stay up to speed.
- Officials from disaster management and
- Communities require access to useful information communications should reunite once the disaster has
during disasters. An individual's capacity to process and been contained to review the communication strategy.
react to what they read, see, and hear can be impacted This can assist in figuring out what approaches
by trauma and terror. Officials in charge of succeeded and what needs to be improved for upcoming
communications must offer clear instructions and crisis communication plans. Additionally, officials should
information. be receptive to any stakeholder feedback and, whenever
possible, take that opinion into account when making
In times of crisis, communication should adhere to the future decisions.
following best practices:
7. Strategize Social Media Use
O Avoid technical jargon
O Use familiar and simple terms that everyone can - Disaster management officials should use social media
easily understand in their messaging to reach as many people as possible.
O Identify spokespeople that the community trusts
O Highlight essential “need to know” information - Officials in charge of disaster management should also
O Strategically deploy visuals, such as maps and dispel false information on social media. During times of
diagrams crisis, false information can spread swiftly as individuals
O Provide updates in a timely manner seek it out indiscriminately out of desperation.
O Communicate with an authoritative and empathetic
tone Monitoring social media during a crisis allows disaster
management leaders to:
5. IdentifyStakeholders and Tailor Messaging
O Stay informed about people’s needs
- Various audiences require different adaptations for O Counter misinformation
crisis communication. Disaster managers should O Answer questions
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O Provide frequent updates to keep the public informed chemical spills, and workplace violence. Being prepared
for emergencies can help reduce the risk of injury or
8. Build an Accessible Disaster death and minimize damage to property.
Communication System
Since emergencies will occur, preplanning is essential. At
- To maintain safety and connection, communities the onset of an emergency, a lot of decisions need to be
require easily available crisis communication. Making made in a short period of time. Time and circumstance
sure that crisis communication networks are usable is can mean the normal chain of command is not
not only advantageous, but also morally right. accessible. Added to that, stress of the incident can result
in poor judgement or extensive losses.
- One of the numerous advantages of getting a degree in
disaster management is that graduates learn that Planning for emergencies is crucial for a variety of
sustainable societies need to be accessible to everyone, reasons, as it helps individuals, families, communities,
and that the definition of "accessible" differs from person and organizations effectively respond to unexpected
to person. Many people might not rely on social media for events. Here are some of the key reasons why planning
news, even though significant segments of a community for emergencies is important:
do. It should also be implemented to support several
languages or formats, such as braille or text-to-speech. • Risk Mitigation: Emergencies can range from natural
disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes to man-
Crisis communication leaders should consider the made crises such as fires, industrial accidents, or even
information channels their communities use: public health emergencies like pandemics.

O Online message boards • Planning allows for the identification of potential risks
O Social media (such as Facebook, Instagram) and the development of strategies to mitigate them.
O Television
O Text updates • Lives and Safety: The primary goal of any emergency
O Phone calls plan is to protect lives and ensure the safety of
O Hotlines individuals. Knowing what to do, where to go, and how to
O Radio broadcasts communicate during an emergency can mean the
O Street signage difference between life and death.

• Property Protection: Proper planning helps safeguard

GROUP 3 property and assets. For example, having fire
Emergency Planning extinguishers and smoke detectors in place can prevent
significant damage from a fire.
1. Emergency
• Reduced Panic and Anxiety: When people know what
- An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the to do in an emergency, it reduces panic and anxiety.
resulting state that calls for immediate action. (Merriam Clear instructions and established procedures can
– Webster Dictionary). provide a sense of control and confidence.
- an urgent need for assistance or relief (Merriam –
Webster Dictionary). • Effective Response and Recovery: A well-thought-out
Example of Emergency: fire, someone fainted, car or emergency plan facilitates a prompt and organized
road accident, etc. response to a crisis. This can minimize the impact of the
emergency and speed up recovery efforts.
2. Emergency Planning
• Resource Allocation: Emergency planning helps in
- Emergency planning is the course of action a identifying the resources needed to respond effectively.
company takes in order to minimize the effects of an This includes personnel, equipment, supplies, and
incident or crisis. An emergency plan usually includes facilities. Proper allocation ensures that resources are
necessary procedures during a crisis, a clear set of roles available when and where they are needed most.
and responsibilities and established instructions for
local emergency response and recovery bodies. This is • Community Resilience: Communities that have
a crucial part of keeping staff safe. established emergency plans are generally more
resilient. They are better able to bounce back from
- Specifies procedures for handling sudden or disasters, as they have the knowledge and infrastructure
unexpected situations. in place to support recovery efforts.

3. Disaster Preparedness • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Depending on the

jurisdiction, there may be legal requirements for
businesses, schools, and other organizations to have
- Disaster preparedness consists of a set of measures
emergency plans in place. Compliance with these
undertaken in advance by governments, organizations,
regulations is not only important for legal reasons but
communities, or individuals to better respond and cope
also for the safety and well-being of stakeholders.
with the immediate aftermath of a disaster, whether it be
human- induced or caused by natural hazards. The
objective is to reduce the loss of life and livelihoods. • Communication and Coordination: Planning helps
establish communication channels and protocols. This
ensures that information flows effectively between
Emergency Planning Importance
different parties involved in the response, including
emergency services, government agencies, and
Emergencies can happen at any time and can range
community organizations.
from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and
hurricanes to workplace incidents such as fires,
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• Training and Awareness: Through the planning substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls,
process, individuals and teams receive training and and the utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE)
awareness on what to do during an emergency. This when applicable.
education is invaluable in ensuring everyone knows
their roles and responsibilities. B. Mitigation

• Adaptation to Changing Circumstances: As Mitigation refers to the actions taken to reduce the impact
circumstances change, so do potential emergencies. of disasters and emergencies, aiming to minimize the loss
Having a plan in place means that it can be updated and of life and property. It encompasses measures that can
adapted to new risks or challenges, ensuring its either prevent emergencies, decrease the likelihood of
continued effectiveness. their occurrence, or mitigate their destructive
consequences. Examples of mitigation efforts include
• Public Trust and Confidence: Knowing that an implementing building codes and zoning requirements
organization or community has a well-prepared and creating defensible zones around homes to protect
emergency plan in place can instill trust and confidence them. Mitigation to that, mitigation involves both structural
among its members. It demonstrates a commitment to and non-structural measures to limit the effects of
their safety and well- being. disasters and emergencies.

In summary, planning for emergencies is essential for Structural mitigation entails modifying buildings or the
safeguarding lives, property, and the overall well-being environment, such as flood control projects, raising
of communities. It provides a structured framework for building elevations, or clearing areas around structures.
effective response and recovery efforts in the face of
unexpected events. Non-structural mitigation primarily involves adopting or
altering building codes to enhance safety.
Emergency Planning Process
C. Preparedness
Emergency planning is a vital procedure aimed in order
to prepare organizations and communities for diverse Preparedness is an ongoing process involving planning,
emergency situations. While the precise steps in this organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and
process may differ based on specific circumstances or corrective actions. It revolves around ensuring readiness
organizations, five fundamental steps are generally to respond to various hazards, incidents, and
acknowledged. These steps are essential in ensuring emergencies. Training and preparedness plans are
preparedness and an effective response to emergencies central to this effort, as they enhance a community's
and disasters. ability to respond effectively when a disaster strikes. Key
measures for preparedness include forming mutual aid
A. Prevention agreements, training response personnel and citizens,
conducting disaster exercises to reinforce training, and
- Prevention in emergency planning entails identifying promoting all-hazards education campaigns.
and evaluating potential hazards and risks, such as
natural disasters, technological incidents, and human- D. Response
made threats, with the aim of reducing their likelihood
and impact. It involves assessing vulnerabilities and The response phase is the immediate reaction to a
weaknesses, prioritizing them based on significance, catastrophic disaster or emergency. It involves actions
and implementing measures to minimize the potential taken to save lives, minimize economic losses, and
hazards. Here are the key steps involved in prevention: alleviate suffering. This phase includes coordinating and
managing resources using the Incident Command
Identify Hazards and Risks: First is by identifying the System. Response activities encompass actions like
various hazards and risks that could impact your activating the emergency operations center, evacuating
organization or community. These hazards encompass at-risk populations, setting up shelters, providing mass
natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods), care, delivering emergency medical aid, firefighting, and
technological incidents (e.g., chemical spills), and urban search and rescue. This phase is the
human-made threats (e.g., terrorism). implementation of plans and measures aimed at
safeguarding life, property, and the environment in the
Assess Vulnerabilities: Evaluate vulnerabilities and face of an actual emergency. It relies on preparedness
weaknesses within your organization or community that efforts, training, and exercises to ensure an effective
could increase the consequences of these hazards. This response.
evaluation should include an assessment of physical
infrastructure, human resources, and essential services E. Recovery
that may be vulnerable during an emergency.

Prioritize Hazards: Determine the likelihood and Recovery encompasses actions that extend beyond the
potential impact of each hazard in order to prioritize initial emergency period and aim to restore critical
them based on their significance. community functions and stabilize the situation. It begins
once the immediate threat to human life has diminished.
Preventive Measures: Put in place preventive The objective of the recovery phase is to return the
measures to minimize the risk of emergencies. These affected area to a state of normalcy, which involves
measures may involve considerations like environmental
planning, adherence to design standards, the restoring basic services and addressing physical, social,
development of evacuation plans, and other protective and economic damages. Typical recovery measures
measures. include debris removal, financial aid to individuals and
governments, reconstruction of infrastructure like roads
Hierarchy of Controls: Consider a hierarchy of controls and bridges, and providing ongoing care for displaced
for prevention, which includes options like elimination, human and animal populations.
JAS

Group 4 emergency happens:

Emergency Family Planning
1. Identify Hazards and Safety - it is important to
A Family Emergency Plan is a strategy that allows a know what possible hazards may exist. The
household to be ready in advance at any time a disaster family should Identify the place and area first and
may arrive. It is a plan designed by families to be
find a solution on what they can do in case
equipped with the necessary knowledge, action, and
materials subject to their needs in the protection of their disaster might happen.
welfare and properties in the course of disaster.
Identify what types of disaster are most likely to
Since a disaster is unpredictable, it is very useful to plan happen in your area, and learn about how to prepare for
for a potential disaster that is most likely to happen at each
home or in the community in which one resides. In this Learn about your community’s warning system and
way, families may lessen the adverse impact of a
disaster and prevent a greater loss such as ensuring signals and identify local organizations that perform
safety and keeping each family member intact and alive. emergency management
In crafting a Family Emergency Plan, every household Look for evacuation areas around the community
will be guided by undergoing its four steps which are as Educate yourself on any disaster plans in place at your
follows: workplace, children’s school, or other places you and
your family spend time.
1.) Identify Hazards. By having an assessment at home
and its surroundings, households may be informed
Have a list of contacts: emergency telephone
and aware of their varied needs. The condition of a
house, family members and its environment indicate numbers, family contact numbers and emergency
the type and possibility of a disaster that may contact.
happen, which is vital in an emergency plan. There For earthquake, secure heavy objects around the
are warning systems and signals that have been home
provided in every community to communicate an Clear all clogged drains, gutters and downpipes and
event of a disaster that the family members must be
keep trees and shrubs trimmed. For floods, listen to your
familiar with;
weather bulletins and take all warnings and precautionary
2.) Hold a family meeting. It is where all members measures seriously
convene to discuss the plan. They have to decide and Avoid building in flood prone areas such as riverbanks
thoroughly explain the highest chance of disaster they or low-lying areas
are facing. The activities of their plan heavily rely on their For landslides, conduct a ground assessment of your
situation, then they must agree on essential tasks that property and plant ground cover on slopes to stabilize the
each member is responsible and assigned for. There land of your property
have to be agreed locations outside the home or For fire safety, check faulty electrical wiring and repair
neighborhood and the city if returning is not possible due if necessary
to the disaster. Always consider pets, special needs, and For tsunamis, find out if your home lies within a
other adjustments; vulnerable area and look for something to use as a raft or
floatation device or go to a higher place if signs are
3.) Prepare. The families must be ready with a disaster detected
supply kit that can be quickly found. Also, check for safe For chemical hazard disaster, identify which hazardous
spots at home and evacuation routes. Educate each materials may pose a threat and learn to detect the
family member about utilities and emergency equipment presence of a hazardous material
such as first aid kits and extinguishers. Show emergency
contacts in easily seen areas, and 2. Hold a family meeting - meet with your family to
discuss why it is important to be prepared. In
4.) Practice your plan. It is an opportunity to make this step:
changes, updates and refresh the activities, materials,
and agreements on the emergency plan. Review the types of disasters that are most likely to
occur and explain what to do in each situation.
Before Disaster Consider each family member. Assign responsibilities if
possible, and plan to work together as a team. Be sure to
It is important that your family is prepared for include your family pets in your plan.
emergencies and unexpected disasters. This is an ideal Decide on meeting points where you will meet in case
act within the family however, it is crucial that every a disaster strikes: outside your home and neighborhood
family member must know and understand in case any in case of a sudden emergency, such as an earthquake
situation arises. Openness and leading the family of or fire and outside your city in case you cannot return
what they can do is a big help to lessen the damage that home.
may occur. Each family member should have enough Discuss what to do in an evacuation and create a
knowledge and tools to guide themselves. In disaster family evacuation plan.
management, communication must be present to have Document how your family will communicate if a
preparedness. A little preparation now can make a big disaster strikes and create a family communications plan.
difference later. Here are some STEPS you can take to Explain clearly during the meeting and make sure that
help keep your family safe and healthy when an everyone understands it.
JAS

3. Wildfire/ Sunog
3. Prepare - it’s time to prepare for what your
family will do during a disaster. Make sure to Stay alert and aware of evacuation instructions from
have an area where you can easily grab in EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, your local law, and fire
case of an emergency. officials.
If you see a fire approaching or if you’re trapped, call
- Assemble a disaster supply kit and document pack. 911;
- Teach each family member how to use a fire Close all windows, doors and vents inside your home;
extinguisher and where to find one. Move flammable furniture, especially outdoor furniture
into the center of the home away from windows and
- Post emergency contacts (friends, family, neighbors, doors;
police, fire, etc.) on the refrigerator. Make sure that To make your house more visible in smoke, turn on
everyone has their own copy, especially kids and elderly. outside lights and leave a light on in every room;
Wear N95 masks to protect your lungs from harmful
4. Practice Your Plan - execute the plan with your particles;
family. Make sure that each family member Stop, drop and roll if you or your family’s clothes catch
knows what to do in case of an emergency. on fire;
Always stay with your family and pets and keep your
- Practice your plan with your family on a regular basis disaster safety kit on hand; and,
(every six months). Execute a dry run and a situation. Remain calm and evacuate immediately: drive at
Evaluate every family member and check out for some regular speeds with windows rolled up and headlights on.
- Check your disaster supply kit every three months.
- Replace stored water and food every three months. 4. Volcanic Eruption / Pagputok ng Bulkan
- Update any emergency contact info as changes occur.
- Always stay alert and informed. Stay calm. Stay indoors. Close the doors and windows.
If there is ash, wear goggles. Cover your nose and
During Disaster mouth with a mask or damp cloth.
Do not let the ash contaminate the food.
Disaster prep emergencies have the potential to cause If you are on the road, pull over your vehicle when
serious harm to people, property, the economy, and the there is heavy ashfall.
environment. We should know who to call and what to Monitor official updates and advice from your barangay
do during a disaster or an emergency. or local government unit (LGU).

4 Common Natural Disasters: It is vital to stress the importance of staying alert during
natural disasters like storms, fires, earthquakes, and
1. Storm/ Bagyo volcanic eruptions. Your vigilance can be a lifesaver, both
for yourself and for those around you. So, please, take
Stay Calm / Stay Indoors. this message seriously and stay alert when facing such
Keep updated on the news. events. Your awareness can make a significant
Prepare the Go Bag (including all the essentials difference.
needed) Explain to your family what to do when the
situation gets worse. After Disaster
If evacuation is necessary, turn off the electricity, close
the gas tank, and lock the doors. A. Safety
Make the children feel and explain to them that there
is nothing to be afraid of because the family is prepared. Make sure you, your family members, and pets are
safe and accounted for. If family members are missing,
2. Earthquake / Lindol seek help from first responders.
Make sure everyone takes their go bag and your lock
Stay calm and go to the safest spot in your house box of essential and financial documents.
immediately. Show the children what to do so they won't Attend to physical injuries and emotional distress.
be scared. If you have a home standing, but there is damage,
Do not go outside during an earthquake. Perform the secure your property. This may mean making temporary
drop, cover, and hold in the safest spot in the house until repairs.
the shaking stops.

Stay away from glass or objects that could fall. Safety Issues
If you're outside the house, stay in your current
location. Protect yourself from debris or objects that - Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster.
could fall. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings,
contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged
electrical wiring, and slippery floors.
JAS

- Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose

power lines, gas leaks and structural damage. If you
have any doubts about safety, have your residence
inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural
engineer before entering.

- Inform local authorities about health and safety issues,

including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed
out roads, smoldering insulation, and dead animals.

- Keep a battery-powered radio with you for emergency

updates from local officials.

B. Shelter- Re Entry or Evacuate

Reminder: Do not enter your home or property if:

- any part of the structure has collapsed

- the structure is off its foundation
- the main power switch was not turned off prior to
flooding
- you smell gas Re entry
- If you can still live in your home, but it requires some
critical repairs, contact your insurance agent. Be sure to
take photos before work starts. Save all receipts related
to the repair for your claim. Remember to watch out for
home repair scams.
- If you do not have money to afford a place to shelter or
do not have insurance, go to a local community shelter.
Communities of faith and schools are often converted
into shelters following a disaster. Staying in these
shelters is of no cost to you.

Evacuate

- Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy

shoes so you can be protected.
- Take your emergency kit.
Lock your home.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities; don’t
use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable
or dangerous.
- Stay away from fallen power lines.
- Listen to local authorities. They will provide you with
the most accurate information specific to a disaster in
your area.
- Stay tuned to local radio and television for instructions.

C. Emotional Support

Monitor yourself and your loved ones for signs of

distress, which could include:

- difficulty sleeping
- emotional outbursts
- anxiety
- depression or unexplained physical issues

If any of these signs appear, make sure to talk about

them and seek advice from a professional. Get mental
health support.