Earthquake Afterthoughts
On the 9th of April an e-mail was sent to residents asking for thoughts on how events unfolded after the 22nd, and what could be learnt from that (see here on the blog). A number did respond with an interesting array of comments and observations. There was a mixture of common and unique points in the responses. They have been gathered together for the time when preparedness needs to be revisited.
One person spent a great deal of effort reflecting on what happened on the 22nd and subsequently, which was recorded and passed on. As it is quite detailed, and provides a chronology of a shared experience, the blog seemed a good and accessible place for it. The writer is happy to oblige and we both agreed to anonymize it so the focus is on the content rather than the writer or the street.
It is a very thorough piece and consists of:
INTRODUCTION
Most comments are based around experience following 22 Feb 2011 earthquake, only referring to 04 Sep 2010 for comparison.
These comments are intended to be helpful for the future rather than to be critical of what was done. They are not a moan.
Authorities in control of the civil emergencies during September 2010 and February-March 2011 are to be applauded for what they achieved and managed; however there still appear to have been some errors and oversights that leave improvements for the future.
It is intended that these comments be accepted, read & digested rather than generate any knee-jerk defence or challenge by authorities thinking there was no problem. What is written here is what many of us perceived to have happened or not happened; the perception may be right . Even if the perception is wrong then this still highlights a major problem that what actually happened was not clearly communicated.
_____________
There is much more in the piece, more than can be appropriately presented in blog format. The whole document can be downloaded in PDF format from Google Docs here.
.
One person spent a great deal of effort reflecting on what happened on the 22nd and subsequently, which was recorded and passed on. As it is quite detailed, and provides a chronology of a shared experience, the blog seemed a good and accessible place for it. The writer is happy to oblige and we both agreed to anonymize it so the focus is on the content rather than the writer or the street.
It is a very thorough piece and consists of:
- INTRODUCTION
- ORANISATION OUTSIDE THE CBD
- ISOLATION
- MIXED & UNCLEAR MESSAGES TO RESIDENTS ONBOTH SIDES OF THE CITY
- MODERN COMMUNICATION GADGETS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO MANY OF US
- BETTER USE OF LOCALLY TRAINED RESCUE PERSONNEL
INTRODUCTION
Most comments are based around experience following 22 Feb 2011 earthquake, only referring to 04 Sep 2010 for comparison.
These comments are intended to be helpful for the future rather than to be critical of what was done. They are not a moan.
Authorities in control of the civil emergencies during September 2010 and February-March 2011 are to be applauded for what they achieved and managed; however there still appear to have been some errors and oversights that leave improvements for the future.
It is intended that these comments be accepted, read & digested rather than generate any knee-jerk defence or challenge by authorities thinking there was no problem. What is written here is what many of us perceived to have happened or not happened; the perception may be right . Even if the perception is wrong then this still highlights a major problem that what actually happened was not clearly communicated.
_____________
There is much more in the piece, more than can be appropriately presented in blog format. The whole document can be downloaded in PDF format from Google Docs here.
.