Disaster Relief Activities of the Japan Self-Defense Force Following the Great East Japan Earthquake

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasumasa Nishiyama

ABSTRACTCooperation between civilian and military forces, including the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), enabled wide-ranging disaster relief after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Nevertheless, many preventable fatalities occurred, particularly related to an inability to treat chronic disease, indicating the need to plan for the provision of long-term medical aid after natural disasters in stricken areas and evacuation shelters. To assist in this effort, this report (1) provides an overview of the consequences of the medical response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, the largest natural disaster ever to hit Japan, focusing on the role and actions of the JSDF; (2) discusses the lessons learned regarding the provision of medical aid and management by the JSDF after this disaster, looking at the special challenges of meeting the needs of a rapidly aging population in a disaster situation; and (3) provides recommendations for the development of strategies for the long-term medical aid and support after natural disasters, especially with regard to the demographics of the Japanese population.

Author(s):  
Michael R. Mabe

According to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned (2006), emergency management professionals realized first-hand that preplanning and coordination is essential when mounting an effective reaction to natural disasters. This chapter describes how leaders in Chesterfield County, VA learned similar lessons in 2001 during Hurricane Irene. In comparison to Katrina the amount of damage caused by Irene was minimal but the impact on county leaders was severe. Based on lessons learned during Irene and an unexpected wind storm nine months later, Chesterfield County leaders now include the Chesterfield County Public (CCPL) in their official disaster relief plans. When activated, CCPL will serve as an information hub, double as a daytime relief shelter and participate in mass feeding if necessary. Selected library branches are available to be used as overnight relief shelters for mass care when the activation of a standard sized shelter facility is not warranted. These changes have made a notable difference.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1513-1535
Author(s):  
Michael R. Mabe

According to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned (2006), emergency management professionals realized first-hand that preplanning and coordination is essential when mounting an effective reaction to natural disasters. This chapter describes how leaders in Chesterfield County, VA learned similar lessons in 2001 during Hurricane Irene. In comparison to Katrina the amount of damage caused by Irene was minimal but the impact on county leaders was severe. Based on lessons learned during Irene and an unexpected wind storm nine months later, Chesterfield County leaders now include the Chesterfield County Public (CCPL) in their official disaster relief plans. When activated, CCPL will serve as an information hub, double as a daytime relief shelter and participate in mass feeding if necessary. Selected library branches are available to be used as overnight relief shelters for mass care when the activation of a standard sized shelter facility is not warranted. These changes have made a notable difference.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Ioan-Dan Popa

Abstract In the last period of time, disasters have become a regular part of global life, no matter if we consider natural or manmade disasters. These events create emergencies when their effects impact on nations/organizations which are not able to cope with the consequences, especially because of the lack of inherent resources. Hence, NATO has assumed an important role in international disaster relief by becoming involved in the provision of relief following natural disasters, all these being in accordance with the founding principles of the Alliance. The purpose of this paper is to spotlight the importance of NATO’s specific structures dealing with disaster relief (EADRCC-Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, EADRU - Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Unit etc.) and to present the main aspects and lessons learned from the intervention in Pakistan earthquake (2005).


Livestock ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
Liz Pryor ◽  
Jane Woolacott

The Australian summer of 2019–2020 has become known as ‘the Black Summer’. The fires burned an estimated 186 000 km2; destroyed over 5900 buildings and killed at least 34 people. Nearly 80% of Australians were affected either directly or indirectly by the Black Summer bushfires. One of the lessons from this disaster is that everyone at risk has a responsibility to manage their own response to an emergency, there are simply not enough resources to be able to defend every house and every community. Prior preparation enables a community level response to an emergency that can improve outcomes in a disaster situation. This article provides an insight into the Black Summer fires from two different veterinary viewpoints, a practice partner whose hospitals came under direct fire threat, and a veterinarian volunteer firefighter who fought these fires on the frontline. The lessons learned from these unprecedented fires are applicable to all veterinarians. In a world where natural disasters are becoming the new norm, preparedness is the key to successfully managing these challenges.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Matsumoto ◽  
Tomokazu Motomura ◽  
Yoshiaki Hara ◽  
Yukiko Masuda ◽  
Kunihiro Mashiko ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionSince 2001, a Japanese national project has developed a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) system (“doctor-helicopter”) and a central Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) composed of mobile and trained medical teams for rapid deployment during the response phase of a disaster.ProblemIn Japan, the DMAT Research Group has focused on command and control of doctor-helicopters in future disasters. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of such planning, as well as the problems encountered in deploying the doctor-helicopter fleet with DMAT members following the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.MethodsThis study was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of aeromedical disaster relief activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake and to evaluate the assembly and operations of 15 doctor-helicopter teams dispatched for patient evacuation with medical support.ResultsFifteen DMATs from across Japan were deployed from March 11th through March 13th to work out of two doctor-helicopter base hospitals. The dispatch center at each base hospital directed its own doctor-helicopter fleet under the command of DMAT headquarters to transport seriously injured or ill patients out of hospitals located in the disaster area. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams transported 149 patients using the doctor-helicopters during the first five days after the earthquake. The experiences and problems encountered point to the need for DMATs to maintain direct control over 1) communication between DMAT headquarters and dispatch centers; 2) information management concerning patient transportation; and 3) operation of the doctor-helicopter fleet during relief activities. As there is no rule of prioritization for doctor-helicopters to refuel ahead of other rotorcraft, many doctor-helicopters had to wait in line to refuel.ConclusionThe “doctor-helicopter fleet” concept was vital to Japan's disaster medical assistance and rescue activities. The smooth and immediate dispatch of the doctor-helicopter fleet must occur under the direct control of the DMAT, independent from local government authority. Such a command and control system for dispatching the doctor-helicopter fleet is strongly recommended, and collaboration with local government authorities concerning refueling priority should be addressed.MatsumotoH,MotomuraT,HaraY,MasudaY,MashikoK,YokotaH,KoidoY.Lessons learned from the aeromedical disaster relief activities during the Great East Japan Earthquake.Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(2):1-4.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Nur Hafizah Md Akhir ◽  
Azlinda Azman ◽  
Noremy Md Akhir

This paper is discusses about volunteers’ needs in order to increase the preparedness in assisting natural disasters victims. Disasters are phenomenon that causes damage in properties and lives that limit individuals or societies’ abilities and well-being. Natural disasters such as landslides, tsunami, flood and typhoon happen almost every year. These natural disasters affect certain countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The volunteers are the one who manage the humanitarian aids to the victims. The needs of the volunteers that been identified need to be evaluated in order to help to expedite the disaster relief management process. This is because the important aspects that need to be evaluated are planning, operational management and disaster training. Meanwhile, disaster preparedness represent as systematic planning in response to the disaster situation that needs to be done to those involved in disaster relief i.e volunteers. The concern on this aspect will help volunteer to be more active, positive and confident, in both physically and mentally when providing helps. Therefore, this concept paper will discusses volunteers’ needs in various perspectives and opinions in order to help in increasing the preparedness in assisting natural disasters victims, as well as increase the effectiveness throughout the relief process.


Psychiatry ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Dobashi ◽  
Masanori Nagamine ◽  
Jun Shigemura ◽  
Tomoya Tsunoda ◽  
Kunio Shimizu ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Darlene Williamson

Given the potential of long term intervention to positively influence speech/language and psychosocial domains, a treatment protocol was developed at the Stroke Comeback Center which addresses communication impairments arising from chronic aphasia. This article presents the details of this program including the group purposes and principles, the use of technology in groups, and the applicability of a group program across multiple treatment settings.


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