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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