Emergency Response Plan

for

Tsunamis

Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, The Philippines

Created by
Grant Podhajsky and Sophia Werner
 Emergency Response Plan
Table of Contents

Background ......................................................................................................................... 2

History ....................................................................................................................... 2

Hazard....................................................................................................................... 2

Financial .................................................................................................................... 3

Government............................................................................................................... 4

Planning for Disaster .......................................................................................................... 4

Other considerations ................................................................................................. 6

Communication Plan .......................................................................................................... 7

Before Disaster Strikes .............................................................................................. 7

Visual ............................................................................................................. 8

During........................................................................................................................ 8

Restoration Plan ................................................................................................................. 9

Restoration Plan ........................................................................................................ 9

Appendices ....................................................................................................................... 13

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Background
History
Jose Panganiban
is a city in the province of
Camarines Norte in the
Philippines. Jose
Panganiban is on the
eastern shore of the
Philippines. The densest
area is on the seashore
in the back of the
Mambulao bay. The
climate there is a tropical
rainforest. The
surrounding area is very
dense with vegetation
and trees. They have a
couple of small rivers that
lead directly into the
ocean. This town is a mining town where they primarily mine for gold and iron.
Jose Panganiban has a population of around 60,000 people, and the majority live near
the coast. Some live scattered throughout the city and most of the city is unused land or mines.

Hazard

What is so dangerous about tsunamis is it has

forward momentum instead of a wind wave that has its
momentum going in a circle where it breaks and doesn’t
continue up on land. A tsunami has momentum that
surges forward pushing onto land and the only things
that will slow it down are climbing inland and pushing
through buildings, trees and geographical formations
that break up the water.

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 The Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis is a system that detects
pressure changes in the ocean and reports it to land as a tsunami. This system can detect
tsunamis as small as 1 cm high. When it detects a tsunami, it sends a signal to a satellite that
redirects it to the area that will be affected by the
tsunami. From there it is categorized on how large
the tsunami is and the people are warned to
evacuate, get to higher grounds or move inland.
This system is brand new and is very accurate
compared to the other systems that could give
false readings. This system also measures the
height of the tsunami along with the maximum
runup when it hits land.

Tsunamis are formed because of a

disturbance in the water. This could be an
earthquake, landslide, volcano eruption or other
disturbance. Most of the time tsunamis are caused
by an earthquake.

Ever seen a Newton’s Cradle? This simple

demonstration of
momentum transfer
explains how and why
tsunamis can move so
fast from one side of
the ocean to the other. Tsunamis don’t move forwards. It is just like
a wave at a sporting event the molecules move up and then back
down, but the wall of water continues to move forward. They carry
energy forward, but the matter stays in the same place. So how
does this relate to Newton’s Cradle? The matter that moves up and
down with the wave hits against each other and transfers the energy through lots of matter at
once instead of going through each individual molecule. It just like the Newton’s Cradle because
the swinging ball hits one ball and the matter is transferred through the line of balls and only
causing the ball at the end of the line to continue the other half of the swing.

Financial

The Philippines has a GDP of 313.6 billion. The Philippines is a low-medium income
country, and Jose Panganiban is on the lower end of that income. The annual salary of the
Philippines ranges from around $4,000-$5,000 (₱210,782 -₱263,477.50). If a tsunami occurred
and were to destroy a majority of Jose Panganiban, the cost may not be as high as if a larger,
wealthier city, such as Quezon City, were to be hit. The costliest flood that the Philippines had
suffered from costed $2,190,000 in damages and recovery. But, this flood did not happen in the
same area that our city is in. If a tsunami were to hit Jose Panganiban, the estimated, maximum
amount of money to fix damages and help with relief would be around $2,000,000 to
$12,000,000 (₱105,391,000 - ₱632,346,000). This would be 10% of the average range of
annual income of citizens in Jose Panganiban. Remember, this is the maximum amount of
money for extreme disaster. The Philippines government will send in aid and money as well.
Emergency funds will come from the IMF, but only in the event of extreme financial emergency.

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 The chances of a tsunami being costly is very low, considering these facts. The amount
of structures that may be destroyed during a tsunami is predicted to be small, unless the
tsunami hits one of the tightly packed places near the coast or if the water reaches them and
damages the buildings this way.

Government

The Philippines have a Presidential Republic, a government that has an elected leader
or president. The President of the Philippines is Rodrigo Duterte and the Vice President is Leni
Robredo. Between 4 and 9 previous constitutions have been ratified between 1987 and 2018.
To have an amendment passed or repealed, there must be a ¾ support. They have 80
provinces and 39 uncharted cities.
For communications, they have landline, cellular and internet users. There are 4,163,282
subscriptions for landline, which is 4 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. There are 115,824,982
total subscriptions for cellular, which is 111 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Finally, there are
56,956,436 total subscriptions for internet, which is 55.5% of the population.

Their broadcast media isn’t very strict, there are multiple national private TV and radio networks,
multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems, more than 400 TV stations, about 1,500 cable TV
providers with more than 2 million subscribers and some 1,400 radio stations. Keep in mind, we
are talking about the Philippines as a whole. Looking at Jose Panganiban specifically, they have
cable television, fixed-line internet connection, 3G and 4G internet service providers and
international calls are provided by the local government for free. The main radio stations are
Town FM 89.3 and Hot FM 94.3.

Planning for Disaster

Emergency Planning

Personal
• Discuss Tsunami preparation with your family
• What does a tsunami look like?
• What are some warning signs?
• What to do if you are separated
• Where are rendezvous points to go to if you are separated
• How to communicate to each other if you are separated
• How to get out of the house safely
• Create a 72-hour supply kit* for an emergency; for each family member
• Discuss how to use each item in the kit
• Community
• Learn about designated assembly points and evacuation centers in the event of a
tsunami
• Learn to recognize the signs of a tsunami
• Learn about radio stations and other ways to stay informed before and during a
tsunami
• Listen to emergency responders and officials during a tsunami

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 • Warn others if you recognize the signs of a tsunami

72 Hour Survival Pack List:

1. Water filter
2. Protein bars or granola bars
3. Trail mix or dried fruit
4. Canned: tuna, beans, fruit, turkey, Vienna sausages
5. Freeze dried meals or MRE food pouches
6. Radio (preferably with crank)
7. Pocket knife and/or multi tool
8. 50 to 100-foot nylon rope
9. Whistle
10. Small floatation device or life preserver
11. Toiletries (roll or toilet paper, feminine hygiene, brush or comb)
12. First aid kit
13. Sanitation supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, trash bags, etc.)
14. Medication and/or prescription medication
15. Glasses or contacts
16. Flashlights/ headlamps (batteries if it’s not crank)
17. Extra batteries
18. Flares
19. Lighter
20. Waterproof matches
21. Contact information
22. Copies of legal documents (birth/marriage certificates, wills, passports, contracts,
insurance policies, bank info, etc.)
23. Cash $50 to $100 in small bills
24. Extra car and house keys
25. Family pictures
26. Bible
27. A bag to carry your 72-hour supplies in

Evacuation/Shelter Information
Assembly Points are areas at higher ground that are safe to go to in the event of a
tsunami. There will be signs leading to these points, especially if you are closer to the coast. If
you cannot find these signs, make sure to move inland and to higher ground. If there is an
earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide or any other, similar disturbance, stay away from the
coast. Once you have arrived at an assembly point, do not move unless instructed to do so by
officials. There is a chance you will be relocated. Always follow instructions.

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see figure 4 in Appendices

Evacuation Centers are schools, hospitals, city halls, etc. These are concrete buildings
with more than one floor or are at high ground. If you can get to an evacuation center in the
event of a tsunami, stay there unless you are told to move by officials. There will be more
people coming to the evacuation centers, so to make the process as smooth as possible, stay
calm and follow instructions.

see figure 5 in Appendices

Other Considerations
If an evacuation center/assembly point is unsafe due to other causes, listen to the
emergency responders and officials for instructions. Stay calm and expect to be relocated. You
will most likely be relocated to a nearby evacuation center/assembly point.

If an evacuation center/assembly point is unsafe due to a bomb threat, listen to

emergency responders and officials for instructions. You will be relocated immediately. To
ensure that you and everybody around you is safe, stay calm.

see figure 7 in Appendices

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 Mining is apparent in Jose Panganiban and the tsunami waters can wash out these
mines, both active and abandoned ones. The chemical waste from these mines are lethal,
including mercury, lead and arsenic. Do not go into the water, not only can it have these
chemicals, but also broken wires, debris and dangerous animals.

The town will work to clean up the chemical waste, but until it is safe, stay in the
evacuation centers until told otherwise.

see figure 8 in Appendices

Communication Plan
Before Disaster Strikes
Before a tsunami is even triggered there must be a Town Hall meeting to organize and
designate an evacuation plan. This plan must be very detailed, and it must showcase many
different situations along with various possibilities to ensure that the public is safe.
Once a tsunami is triggered and is heading to Jose Panganiban a short Town Hall
meeting must be held to quickly review the evacuation plan. This meeting is to organize and
execute the plan. During the meeting law enforcement, public safety, the fire department and
public health will be appointed positions and stations throughout Jose Panganiban. This
meeting must be very efficient because a tsunami will not wait for the meeting or the civilians to
evacuate and get to safety.
During these Town Hall meetings a plan must be in place to ensure that the general
population is properly informed of what must happen before, during and after the tsunami. The
civilians must be prepared for the disaster with their personal plans in place along with a 72-
hour emergency survival pack.
These Town Hall meetings must keep the objective in mind. The reason these meetings
are in place is for the safety and survival of the public. They must be very organized; the
communication must be clear, and the plans must be concise.

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Flyer

see figures 9 & 10 in Appendices

During

During the event of a tsunami, the sirens will sound. Sometimes, there will not be
enough time to activate the sirens. The time you will have to get to an assembly point can range
from 1-15 minutes. If you cannot make it to an assembly point, just move inland and get to
higher ground. Make sure to have an emergency kit/72-hour bag with you and use your radio to
stay updated. If you are safe after the first wave, do not move. There are multiple aftershocks,
even smaller waves, so going back out to retrieve belongings is prohibited. Stay right where you
are until you get help or are told by officials that it is safe to go back. Once the aftershocks have
stopped and officials say that it is safe to return, make your way to an evacuation center. You
may have to stay if the water is still unsafe in other areas or if your house has been destroyed.

⚠️ IF THERE IS NOTICEABLE RECESSION IN WATER AWAY FROM THE

SHORELINE THIS IS NATURE’S TSUNAMI WARNING AND IT SHOULD BE
HEEDED. YOU SHOULD MOVE AWAY IMMEDIATELY. ⚠️

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Commercial for Tsunami Preparedness
https://tinyurl.com/ybhnrbbn

Please visit the link or QR below to view our informational

video to stay safe when a tsunami is on its way.

Restoration Plan
Overall Disaster Recovery
Once the tsunami warning went off a bomb threat was received at a few of the
evacuation centers. If the bomb threat seems to be a real threat, there is explosives found or
explosives detonate we will send out law enforcement to find the suspect. From there we will
facilitate personal health and medical needs for those in need. Once the aftershocks from the
tsunami have been completed we will be having general debris removal along with searching for
any missing persons.

With all the mines in Jose Panganiban there is a lot of potential for toxic metals being
released if a tsunami hits the right area. In the case of a tsunami if there is a leak in the mine
and if the water exposes the toxic metals access to the environment the metals will cause
significant damage. If the toxic metals were to be uncontained they would destroy the plant and
animal life, there along with being extremely harmful and even deadly to the people who live
there. We will have a specialized crew to clean up the mine waste and ensure that the town is
safe.
The final steps of the recovery are more personal including building repair, home
renovation, personal belonging/document repair and recovery and mental recovery.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Aiding the Injured

• Check for injuries but do not move a seriously injured person unless they are in
immediate danger.
• If you are moving an unconscious person, stabilize the neck and back.
• Call for help.
• If the victim is not breathing, carefully position them for artificial respiration, clear the
airway, and commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

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 • Maintain their body temperature with blankets. Don’t let them overheat.
• Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.

Health

• Don’t over-exert yourself, don’t try to do too much at once. Pace yourself, set priorities
and make sure to get enough rest.
• Drink water and eat well.
• Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often when working in debris.

Safety Issues

• Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads,
contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged
electrical wiring and slippery floors.
• Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed
power lines, washed out roads, smoldering insulation, and dead animals.

Returning Home
Use caution when returning home.

General Tips:

• Keep a radio with you, if available.

• Use a flashlight to inspect a damaged home. Turn it on outside before entering, the
battery can produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
• Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
• If you must go outside, watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires, weakened
walls, bridges and roads.

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.

Do not enter if:

• You smell gas.
• Floodwaters remain around the building.
• Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

When you go inside your home, there are certain things you should do. Enter the home
carefully, check for damage, and be aware of loose boards and other weak infrastructure. The
following items are other things to check inside your home:

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 • Natural gas: if you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave immediately. Turn off the
main gas valve from the outside if you can. A professional will have to turn it back on,
but they will inspect the danger. Do not use candles, gas lanterns, torches, or oil inside
the home until you are sure that there is no leaking gas.
• Sparks, broken or frayed wires: check the electrical system unless you are wet,
standing in water or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main
fuse box or circuit breaker. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they’re safe to
use.
• Roof, foundation and chimney cracks: if it looks like the building may collapse, leave
immediately.
• Appliances: if appliances are wet, turn off electricity. Then, unplug appliances and let
them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again.
• Water and sewage systems: if pipes are damaged, turn off main water valve. Check
with local authorities before using any water; water could be contaminated.
• Food and other supplies: throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may
have become contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater.
• Your basement: if your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of
the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse, and the floor may buckle if
the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.
• Open cabinets: be alert for objects that may fall.
• Clean up household chemical spills: disinfect items that may have been contaminated
by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also, clean salvageable items.

Guidelines

• Do not approach or attempt to help an injured or stranded animal. Call your local animal
control office or wildlife resource office.
• Do not corner wild animals that have taken refuge in your home. Wild animals such as
snakes, opossums and raccoons often seek refuge from floodwaters on upper levels of
homes and have been known to remain after water recedes. If you encounter animals in
this situation, open a window or provide another escape route and the animal will likely
leave on its own. Do not attempt to capture or handle the animals. Should the animal
stay, call your local animal control office or wildlife resource office.
• Do not attempt to move a dead animal. Animal carcasses can present serious health
risks. Contact your local emergency management office or health department for help
and instructions.
• If bitten by an animal, seek immediate medical attention.

Seeking Disaster Assistance

Direct Assistance
• Red Cross
• Other volunteer organizations

These organizations provide food, shelter, supplies and assist in clean-up efforts.

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The Federal Role:
In the most severe disasters, the federal government is also called in to help individuals
and families with temporary housing, counseling (for post-disaster trauma), low-interest loans
and grants, and other assistance.

Coping with Disaster

Understand Disaster Events

• It is natural to be anxious about your own safety and the safety of friends and family.
• Sadness, grief and anger is normal after a disaster
• Acknowledging your feelings helps with recovery
• Focusing on your strengths helps you heal
• Accept help from communities and others to create healthy bonds
• Everyone has different needs and has different ways of coping with disaster
• It’s common to want to strike back at people who have caused pain

Helping Children Cope with Disaster

Psychological stress is one of the most common lasting things from a natural disaster.
Many kids will suffer from one or more of the following risk factors:

• Direct exposure to the disaster like being evacuated, seeing major injuries and
experiencing loss can make the child fear for their life and safety.
• They can experience loss and grief if loved ones get major injuries or pass away.
• Experiencing stress from the secondary causes from the disaster such as parental
unemployment, temporary living situations and loss in social networks or friends.

Helping Others
• Volunteer with local organizations but be informed with where you are needed. If you’re
not needed please stay away from the disaster area for other’s safety and yours.
• Bring your own food, water and emergency supplies for where you’re going to volunteer.
This is very important because supplies will be low.
• Donate with cash or check to these organizations so they can efficiently get money to
those who need it and purchase supplies.
- Do not donate any food, water, clothing or any other item unless the item has
been specifically requested.
- When donating items that are requested by the organization it is best to donate
quantity of one item than a mix of multiple items.

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Appendices

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 3

Figure 4

14
Figure 5

Figure 6

15
Figure 7

Figure 8

16
Figure 9

17
Figure 10

18
Figure 11

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