CFAY Disaster Preparedness Handbook

Important Contacts:

Emergency Number (on base) 911
Off Base 046-816-0911
Ambulance (off base) Negishi 045-216-0911
American Red Cross 243-7490/5291
After Hours and Weekends 225-2536/3740
Emergency Number (off base) 119
Naval Facilities Trouble Desk (for damages) 115
Jeff Lindaman, Emergency Management Officer. 243-1714

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - A BASIC GUIDE TO BEING PREPARED FOR A DISASTER
Yokosuka Emergency Management Office
Mr. Jeff Lindaman, EMO

Useful Disaster Preparedness Websites

FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready
http://www.ready.gov

TCCOR Info
http://www.cfay.navy.mil
(JMA) Japanese Meteorological Agency
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

English Language Websites

Yokosuka City
http://www.city.yokosuka.kanagawa.jp/0140/english/index.html

Yokohoma City
http://www.city.yokohoma.lg.jp.cache.yimg.jp/en/

Tokyo City
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/

US Embassy
http://www.japan.usembassy.gov/

CNIC
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/yokosuka/index.html

Ready Gov
http://www.ready.gov/

Family Readiness

Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) Forms

http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Yokosuka/OperationsAndManagement/
EmergencyManagement/index.htm

Housing Evacuation Site Maps
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Yokosuka/FleetAndFamilyReadiness/HousingAndLodging/
FamilyandUnaccompaniedHousing/HousingforFamilies/PrivateRentals/CNICP_A286377

Natural Disasters in Japan

General Information

Japan has a total of 6,852 islands extending along the pacific coast. 73% of the
Japanese landscape is not fit for residential or agricultural use due to being forested
and mountainous. It has the worlds tenth largest population of 127 million
people. These two factors lead to approximately a third of the United
States total population living in an area the size of a quarter of California. This
makes the need for the public to be well prepared of utmost importance, and
for us as guests in this country to be as prepared as we can as well.

There is a myriad of disasters that happen in Japan. This guide covers an overview of:

* Earthquakes
* Tsunamis
* Volcanic eruptions
* Typhoons
* Flooding/Mudslides
* Snow

This guide will also discuss general response options that may be executed in the event of a disaster

* Shelter-In-Place
* Safe Havens
* Mass Shelter
* Mass Notification System/Computer Desktop Notification System(CDNS)
* Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)

Get a Kit

When disaster strikes emergency responders have to attend to the most
critical needs first, and may not be able to get to an area until it is deemed
safe. Thought an emergency worker’s duties are to the entire community,
it is your responsibility to ensure your family’s well being in a time of crisis.
The best way for you to do this is to build an emergency kit to sustain
you for 72 hours. A list of what should be in an emergency kit is provided
in the back of this handbook.

Make a Plan

Consider all of the possibilities when developing your family plan. Think
about all of the places you might be when disaster may hit and the range
of severity for each emergency. Building a family communications plan
will be helpful in any case.

* Ensure everyone understands the plan and PRACTICE it.
* Consider what to do, where to go and what to take.
* Plan for members with disabilities or special needs (babies requiring
baby food, a member who cannot lift heavy objects, etc.).
* Include your pets in your plan.
* Report status of family members through the sponsors command or
  Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS).
* Identify a CONUS/OCONUS point of contact, especially when a
family member is deployed. After a disaster, it is often easier to call
long distance.

Stay Informed

Dangerous situations can happen anywhere at any time, so always try to
familiarize yourself with the spectrum of possible dangers. In Japan, the
most likely and severe are earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and pandemics.
Living abroad presents you and your family with additional challenges if
you don’t speak the local language so being prepared is even more important.
Know your local evacuation centers. Know your emergency numbers.

Emergency Management Department

Emergency Kits

Your disaster preparedness kits should include two parts. An Evacuation Kit that you can
carry with you that is ready to go on short notice and a Stockpile Kit that can sustain you
for longer in your home if necessary.

Evacuation Checklist



Stockpile Checklist



NEO

Noncombatant Evacuation Operation

Offers advanced planning and preparation on the part of all evacuees.
Reasons for NEO
Armed conflict, natural disaster, civil disorder, pandemic event, orderly withdrawal
of forces, early return of dependents
Who may be ordered to evacuate
USG civilian employees and dependents (stateside hire), Military personnel
designated as non-combatants, US armed forces dependents
Who may be authorized to evacuate
USG civilian employees and dependents (local hire), Private US citizens, designated
aliens as prescribed by DoS

The Process.

NEO authority may authorize the use of ships or aircraft to move noncombatants evacuees (NCEs)
You should prepare your family for several days of possible layovers
Your unit’s NEO coordinator will be your point of contact in times of crisis or emergency.

What to include in your NEO package:

* Alien Registration card
* Birth Certificates
* DD Form 1337 (Military)
* DD Form 2461 (DOD Civilians)
* DOD Form 2585
* Financial Records (Latest LES)
* Household goods inventory DD Form 1701
* Insurance Policies
* Vehicle Registration/Titles
* Marriage Certificates
* Naturalization Certificates
* Other information documents
* Paperwork (tax files, school certificates)
* Passport
* Power of Attorney
* International Phone Card Will's)

Earthquakes

Why does Japan get so many earthquakes?

Japan is located on what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire, essentially the area bordering the Pacific Ocean, and also the Pacific Plate. Over 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur on the Ring of Fire.
Japan is located in a very unstable part of the earth’s crust. There are 4 major plates that meet around the island of Japan, and many more smaller plates in the area.
As many as 1,500 recorded earthquakes occur annually in Japan.

Earthquake Early Warning System

Due to the large number of earthquakes in Japan, the Government of Japan has gone to great lengths to get as timely and accurate of a warning of upcoming earthquakes to the public. Early warnings will appear via Japanese Television and audible warnings that are located in
every Japanese city or town.
Also AU, smart-phones, and Docomo phones can be activated to give an audible alarm.



Living in an earthquake-prone area

When living in Japan it is important to ensure that you and your family are ready
to react when the ground starts shaking. Make sure you have a plan for yourself
and your family. Conduct earthquake drills with your children. Most earthquakes
in Japan you will barely feel, but it is important to be prepared for any situation..

Earthquake Preparedness

Here are some things that you can do to prepare your home for an earthquake ahead of
time.






Staying In Touch






Mass Notification

There are a number of ways that CFAY can notify personnel during an emergency.

“Giant Voice” (a loudspeaker broadcast system for the installation)
Information Control Points (community centers, bulletin boards, etc.)
AFN channels Commanders 15 and Weather 16
Twitter/Facebook
CDNS (a desktop pop-up on One-Net, emails, and text messages to registered users)

Mass Shelter/Shelter-In-Place

In the event that there is a large amount of damage to the surrounding area, it may become
necessary to offer Mass Shelter on this installation. There are a number of places that can
be allocated as Mass Shelter areas. The primary shelter is the Fleet Recreation Center, with
Purdy Gym and the Fleet Theatre as alternates. However in the event that the need arises
for mass sheltering, guidance will be given at the time on where to go and how to proceed.
A shelter-in-place order can be given in situations where it is more dangerous to be outside
than in your home. Some situations would be extreme weather, events, or in preparation
for evacuation. In this case you would stay in your residence ,and rely on your emergency
kit, and await further instructions.

Useful Japanese/English in Disasters


Earthquake Preparedness




When you are outside of your home:








Snow

Though assessed as a minor risk for the area it is important to keep some things in mind
during a snow storm with >2 inches of snow.
Driving conditions may be reduced, but road clearance will begin as soon as possible. If you are not used to driving in snow, reduce driving to a minimum.
Non-essential personnel will be released from duties, this may result in closures of some facilities on base.
Remember to dress warm, there is an increased risk of hypothermia. Wear layers, a windproof/ waterproof outer shell, and long underwear underneath your clothes.
If living in a house, snow removal is easier if you do it early before the snow becomes packed down. Put salt on the sidewalks. Remember that shoveling if physically strenuous work. If you are not prepared, shoveling may cause sweating from over-exertion and can lead to chill and hypothermia. If you begin to sweat, take a break, and change into some dry clothing.
In the event of school delay/closure, notification will begin by 0400 or deemed necessary,
via AFN, Twitter and Facebook.

Flooding/Mudslides

Flooding and mudslides are usually triggered by heavy rain.
As such, it is reasonably easy to determine when there may be an enhanced risk of flooding or mudslides. When the Japanese government knows that it is something to be cautious of, they will put out a loudspeaker broadcast about the hazard. Here are some tips to keep you safe:




Tropical Cyclones



Your children at school

Your childrens’ safety is of the utmost importance. As such, the school systems have a number of pre-planned responses to all emergency situations while school is in session.
In the event of an earthquake the schools will assume that there is threat of a tsunami and respond accordingly. All child care workers are trained in the basic response to a disaster, and will lead your children in the proper response.
In the event of an evacuation, supervisors all have emergency backpacks that they will take with them that include a snack for the kids, and all of their emergency contact information.
Notice will be left on the doors to the facility evacuated with the location where they evacuated to along with a phone point of contact.
The pre-planned evacuation sights are: (SAC-School Age Care, TYC-Teen and Youth Club, Yokosuka, CDC-Child Development Center)
Sullivans school basketball courts (SAC)
Purdy Gym (SAC, TYC)
The top of “Weather Hill” behind the exchange (SAC, TYC)
4th floor of Yonban Tower, Bara Heights, Ume Heights, CDC building 3rd floor (CDC)

Ikego
Playground outside of the building (SAC, TYC)
Ikego CDC (SAC)
Field #2 above the track (SAC, TYC, CDC)
Field #4 and #5 directly in front of the main gate (TYC)

Negishi
Parking lot of NEX/Commissary (TYC)
Negishi Community Center (SAC, CDC)
Area directly outside of facility (TYC, SAC)


Volcanoes

There are 108 active volcanoes in Japan, though not many in the Yokosuka area.
The closest one is Mt Fuji. Fuji is considered to be an active volcano, and as such we should be aware of volcano warnings and actions to be taken during those warnings.
Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people and people with access and functional needs. If you are unable to evacuate, and in order to protect yourself from falling ash, you should remain indoors with doors, windows and ventilation closed until the ash settles. Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing. Go to a designated public shelter if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home. Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening .
However, you should listen to Eagle 810 Radio, watch Ch15, or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.




Tsunamis

Tsunamis are caused by an earthquake that happens on the ocean floor. When the ocean floor moves suddenly, an extremely large amount of water shifts suddenly, creating a ripple effect that is similar to dropping a pebble into a puddle. This creates a series of waves that may be dangerous or destructive. They do not occur as a giant wall of water as commonly depicted.
What can I do to be ready for a Tsunami?
Tsunamis are extremely fast-moving, which limits the time you have to react. Advanced planning is required to save you and your family reaction time in case of a tsunami warning.
Taking the following steps will help you and your family mitigate the risk associated with living in a tsunami prone region:

* Know the height above sea-level of your home.
* Know the location and how to get to the nearest tsunami evacuation zone.
* Plan evacuation routes for you and your family, you should be able to get there in 15 minutes or less.
* The single most important thing if there is a tsunami in your area is to get you and your family to higher ground as soon as possible.
* Stay away from rivers and streams that feed the ocean
* If you are on the beach or near the ocean and you feel a large earthquake, start moving.
* Do not wait for a warning to be issued as it could only be a few minutes before the tsunami strikes land.

Tropical Cyclones

A tropical cyclone, or typhoon, is defined as an area with low atmospheric pressure in the
northwest Pacific Ocean with winds matching or exceeding 17 m/s are known as “slowonset”
disasters because there is time to track them and prepare for them before they
occur.
* Tropical Cyclone season runs from June to November
* The military uses Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR, “tee-core&rdquo to track the timing of landfall of a tropical cyclone. The table on the following page illustrates what each TCCOR means. When TCCOR is set, you will want to make sure that you have secured all loose items outside of your home.
* Do an inventory of your emergency kit and replace any soon to expire items
* Reviewed your plan with your family, and ensure you all know what to do in case of power outages, downed power lines, fallen trees, broken windows, etc.

What is a typhoon?

A typhoon is defined as an area with low atmospheric
pressure in the northwest Pacific Ocean
with winds matching or exceeding 17 m/s.