Hazard Warning

Warning systems are an integral part of hazard planning. Warning systems or programmes are designed to monitor hazard agents and to allow evacuation or other preventative action to be taken in advance of impact. Such systems therefore involve aspects of hazard prediction, hazard warning and evacuation planning.

An effective warning system therefore employs:

(a) scientific devices (e.g. seismometers and flood gauges) to monitor agents;

(b) a communications network through which the public can be immediately and effectively informed of necessary action to take - this will involve some kind of telecommunications network; and

(c) an evacuation plan with pre-determined and practised plans for moving people and property out of the impact area.

There are many problems associated with hazard warning. Apart from the obvious problem of ensuring that all mechanical devices used to warn people of danger remain operative during a hazardous event, there are numerous problems that arise from our perception of hazard (whether we believe that a hazard exists) and our reaction to community hazard warnings. Past experience dictates how we will react to hazard warnings - we may doubt the reality of hazard and ignore warnings. False alarms make people doubt the value of warning systems and may create public apathy toward future warnings. Warnings given too soon may cost a community in monetary terms through having unnecessarily closed businesses or in having spent large sums of money on community evacuation. Warnings given too late do not provide enough reaction time and consequently lead to mass panic, significant personal loss, and feelings of bitterness and anger in the community.

References:

Burton, I., Kates, R.W. and White, G.F. (1978). The Environment as Hazard. Oxford University Press. New York.

Whittow, J. (1980). Disasters: The Anatomy of Environmental Hazards. Pelican Books.

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