16 Highlights and Lessons from the Implementation of an Early …
193
station with the meteorological measurements is publically accessible, whereas the
information on the other sub-pages is only available for registered persons from the
involved authorities and the project team.
While the monitoring and warning system was being designed and implemented,
an action plan was elaborated in collaboration with the main stakeholders (the members of the Local Emergency Operation Center (COEL), the Civil Defense Platform,
selected government members, and the mayor). The plan defines all actions to be
taken according to different warning levels, as well as contact details (names and
phone numbers) of responsible persons and their deputies. The definition of this
action plan had to take into account local, regional, and national laws, rules, and
guidelines.
If the measurements of one geophone exceed a defined threshold, an SMS is sent
out to all involved persons automatically, telling to immediately check the EWS data
online or in the data center. Subsequent steps have then to be taken according to the
predefined action plan and based on the data available (Fig. 16.4). In this EWS, no
alarm is launched automatically by the system. The thresholds of the geophones,
used to activate the warning levels, are defined on the basis of a continuous data
analysis which is currently being carried out jointly by different Peruvian and Swiss
Institutes.
16.3.4 Response Capability (Education and Preparedness)
It is important that potentially affected people adequately understand the goals and
procedures of the EWS and share a common interest in these efforts. It is therefore
crucial to inform and train the public and the involved authorities, both technically
and socially. Each actor needed a different training, according to their responsibilities and capabilities. A process of institutionalization has been carried out for local
authorities (Municipality of Carhuaz, Civil Defense) in order to increase the efficiency (clear and transparent rules and simplified procedures for the implementation
of risk management). It is also worth mentioning the work with the population with
whom information and awareness workshops have been carried out about the real
state of the danger they face. Carey et al. (2012) noted that when the population
does not participate in the processes of risk management, they see the results as an
imposition, causing them to resist management actions even though these will help
them to save their lives.
To embody and apply learned lessons, test alarms and evacuation simulations are
very effective means to train both authorities involved in the EWS and civilians (Frey
et al. 2014). Such simulations can be used not only to expose the population to an
evacuation under near-realistic conditions but also to test the action plan and the
decision process of the responsible authorities.
Civil response to the EWS is a key aspect when assessing its effectiveness and
has been tested several times since its implementation, and emergency simulations
are scheduled every year for the entire country. These practices are essential for
193
station with the meteorological measurements is publically accessible, whereas the
information on the other sub-pages is only available for registered persons from the
involved authorities and the project team.
While the monitoring and warning system was being designed and implemented,
an action plan was elaborated in collaboration with the main stakeholders (the members of the Local Emergency Operation Center (COEL), the Civil Defense Platform,
selected government members, and the mayor). The plan defines all actions to be
taken according to different warning levels, as well as contact details (names and
phone numbers) of responsible persons and their deputies. The definition of this
action plan had to take into account local, regional, and national laws, rules, and
guidelines.
If the measurements of one geophone exceed a defined threshold, an SMS is sent
out to all involved persons automatically, telling to immediately check the EWS data
online or in the data center. Subsequent steps have then to be taken according to the
predefined action plan and based on the data available (Fig. 16.4). In this EWS, no
alarm is launched automatically by the system. The thresholds of the geophones,
used to activate the warning levels, are defined on the basis of a continuous data
analysis which is currently being carried out jointly by different Peruvian and Swiss
Institutes.
16.3.4 Response Capability (Education and Preparedness)
It is important that potentially affected people adequately understand the goals and
procedures of the EWS and share a common interest in these efforts. It is therefore
crucial to inform and train the public and the involved authorities, both technically
and socially. Each actor needed a different training, according to their responsibilities and capabilities. A process of institutionalization has been carried out for local
authorities (Municipality of Carhuaz, Civil Defense) in order to increase the efficiency (clear and transparent rules and simplified procedures for the implementation
of risk management). It is also worth mentioning the work with the population with
whom information and awareness workshops have been carried out about the real
state of the danger they face. Carey et al. (2012) noted that when the population
does not participate in the processes of risk management, they see the results as an
imposition, causing them to resist management actions even though these will help
them to save their lives.
To embody and apply learned lessons, test alarms and evacuation simulations are
very effective means to train both authorities involved in the EWS and civilians (Frey
et al. 2014). Such simulations can be used not only to expose the population to an
evacuation under near-realistic conditions but also to test the action plan and the
decision process of the responsible authorities.
Civil response to the EWS is a key aspect when assessing its effectiveness and
has been tested several times since its implementation, and emergency simulations
are scheduled every year for the entire country. These practices are essential for