CLAIRE’S

DIGITAL LIBRARY
DISASTER READINESS AND RISK
REDUCTION
LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION TO DRRR
A field dedicated to preparing for, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from disasters.
Disasters are sudden, calamitous events that disrupt the functioning of a community or
society and cause losses that exceed the community's or society's ability to cope using its
own resources. These can result from natural hazards (such as earthquakes, floods, and
hurricanes) or human-induced events (such as industrial accidents and terrorist attacks).

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Disaster: A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that causes significant disruption and
losses, exceeding the affected community’s capacity to cope. Disasters can be
natural or human-induced.

Hazard: A hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that

may cause loss of life, injury, property damage, social and economic disruption, or
environmental damage. Hazards can be dormant until they become active,
creating an emergency situation.

Exposure: Exposure refers to the situation of people, infrastructure, housing, and other
tangible assets located in hazard-prone areas. It measures how much of the
population and infrastructure is at risk in a specific area.

Vulnerability: Vulnerability is the diminished capacity of an individual or group to anticipate, cope

with, resist, and recover from the impact of a hazard. It is influenced by factors
such as poverty, health, and social status.

Capacity: Capacity refers to the resources available to individuals, households, and

communities to deal with threats or withstand the effects of hazards. These
resources can be physical, social, economic, or organizational.

Risk: Risk is the probability of harmful consequences or expected losses resulting from
the interaction between hazards and vulnerable conditions. It encompasses the
potential for loss of life, injury, property damage, and environmental degradation.
LESSON 2

UNDERSTANDING RISK
FACTORS AND HAZARDS
Understanding the factors that contribute to risk and recognizing various hazards
are crucial for effective disaster risk reduction. This lesson will delve into the
different types of hazards and risk factors that exacerbate the impact of disasters.
Hazards can be categorized into natural and human-made.
TYPES OF HAZARDS
Each type has unique characteristics and potential impacts.

NATURAL HAZARDS
Sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates
beneath the Earth’s surface.
Earthquakes
Can cause severe structural damage, loss of life, and secondary hazards like
tsunamis and landslides.
Eruptions occur when magma from within the Earth's mantle escapes to
Volcanic the surface.
Eruptions Ashfall, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and volcanic bombs can cause
widespread devastation.
Overflow of water onto normally dry land.
Floods Damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and homes; can lead to waterborne
diseases.

Cyclones and Intense tropical storms with powerful winds and heavy rain.
Hurricanes Storm surges, flooding, and wind damage.

The movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope.

Landslides
Can bury homes, roads, and cause fatalities.
Large ocean waves typically caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic
Tsunamis eruptions.
Massive flooding and destruction in coastal areas.
 HUMAN-MADE HAZARDS
Accidents occurring in industrial settings due to human error, equipment
Industrial
failure, or unsafe practices.
Accidents
Chemical spills, explosions, fires, and toxic exposures.
Fires occurring in urban areas due to electrical faults, gas leaks, or arson.
Urban Fires
Property damage, loss of life, and air pollution.
Contamination of air, water, or soil by harmful substances.
Environmental
Long-term health problems, ecosystem damage, and reduced quality of
Pollution
life.

RISK FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO DISASTERS

Various factors can exacerbate the impact of hazards, turning them into disasters.
These include physical, social, economic, and environmental factors.

PHYSICAL FACTORS
Buildings and infrastructure not designed to withstand hazards can
Poor Infrastructure
collapse, causing significant casualties and damage.
High population density increases the potential for casualties and
Population Density
complicates evacuation and relief efforts.

SOCIAL FACTORS
Vulnerable Groups such as the elderly, children, and people with disabilities are
Populations more at risk during disasters.
Lack of Education Insufficient knowledge about risks and how to respond to them can
and Awareness increase vulnerability.

ECONOMIC FACTORS
Poor communities often live in high-risk areas and lack resources for
Poverty
adequate housing, healthcare, and disaster preparedness.
2 types of Economies reliant on sectors like agriculture or tourism can suffer
metamorphism significant losses during disasters.
 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Removal of trees can lead to soil erosion and increase the risk of
Deforestation
landslides and flooding.
Global warming can intensify natural hazards such as storms, floods,
Climate Change
and droughts.

MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES

Mitigation and preparedness are key to reducing the impact of disasters. These
strategies involve understanding and addressing the risk factors.

MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Structural
Building dams, levees, and earthquake-resistant structures.
Measures:
Non-Structural Enforcing land-use planning and building codes, public education, and
Measures: early warning systems.

PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES
Emergency
Developing and practicing evacuation plans.
Planning:
Public Education: Informing communities about risks and preparedness measures.
Resource Allocation: Ensuring availability of emergency supplies and resources.
LESSON 3

EARTHQUAKES
are one of the most devastating natural hazards, causing significant damage to
infrastructure and loss of life. This lesson will cover the causes, characteristics, effects,
and measures to mitigate the impact of earthquakes.
CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES
Subduction Zones: One tectonic plate moves under another, causing intense
pressure and eventual release as an earthquake.
Tectonic
Divergent Boundaries: Plates move apart, creating new crust and causing
Plate
seismic activity.
Movements
Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past each other, leading to friction and
earthquakes.
Volcanic Earthquakes can occur due to volcanic eruptions as magma moves through the
Activity Earth's crust.
Mining: Blasting and excavation can trigger minor earthquakes.
Reservoir-Induced Seismicity: Large reservoirs can alter stress in the Earth's
Human
crust.
Activities
Geothermal Energy Extraction: Injecting or extracting fluids can cause seismic
activity.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EARTHQUAKES
Measures the energy released by an earthquake. The Richter scale and Moment
Magnitude
Magnitude Scale (Mw) are commonly used.
Describes the effects and damage caused by an earthquake, measured by the
Intensity
Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.
Focus (Hypocenter): The point within the Earth where the earthquake
Focus and
originates.
Epicenter
Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus.
P-Waves (Primary Waves): Fastest seismic waves, traveling through solids,
Seismic liquids, and gases.
Waves S-Waves (Secondary Waves): Slower than P-waves, traveling only through solids.
Surface Waves: Travel along the Earth's surface, causing the most damage.
EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKES
Ground Shaking The primary cause of damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Surface Rupture Displacement along the fault line visible on the Earth's surface.
Saturated soil loses strength and behaves like a liquid, causing buildings to
Liquefaction
sink or tilt.
Landslides Triggered by ground shaking, especially in hilly or mountainous areas.
Tsunamis Large sea waves generated by underwater earthquakes.
Secondary
Fires from ruptured gas lines, dam failures, and hazardous material spills.
Hazards

MITIGATION MEASURES
Implementing and enforcing strict building codes to ensure structures can
Building Codes
withstand seismic activity.
Land-Use Avoiding construction in high-risk areas, such as fault lines and unstable
Planning slopes.
Early Warning Developing and maintaining systems to detect earthquakes and provide
Systems warnings to reduce casualties.

Public Education Educating the public about earthquake preparedness and conducting
and Drills regular drills.

Seismic Strengthening existing buildings and infrastructure to improve their

Retrofitting resistance to earthquakes.

PREPAREDNESS MEASURES
Stocking kits with essential items such as water, food, first-aid
Emergency Kits
supplies, and flashlights.
Creating and practicing plans for communication and evacuation
Family Emergency Plans
during an earthquake.
Anchoring heavy furniture and appliances to walls to prevent
Securing Objects
them from falling during an earthquake.
Community Preparedness Encouraging communities to develop and participate in
Programs preparedness programs and local response teams.
 EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
What to Do Before an Earthquake:
Understand the earthquake hazards specific to your area.
Follow recommended structural design and engineering practices
Know Your Risks: during construction.
Evaluate the structural soundness of buildings and houses; reinforce
or retrofit if necessary.
Secure heavy furniture and cabinets to walls to prevent them from
toppling.
Prepare Your Home,
Ensure hanging objects like ceiling fans are stable.
Workplace, or School:
Store breakable items, harmful chemicals, and flammable materials
on lower secured shelves.
Know the exit routes in buildings and establish meeting points
Familiarize Yourself:
outside.
Prepare an emergency supply kit including:First aid kit
Canned food and can opener
Emergency Supplies: Water (one gallon per person per day)
Clothing and blankets
Battery-operated radio and flashlights with extra batteries
Conduct regular earthquake drills to ensure everyone knows what
Practice Drills:
to do during an earthquake.

What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay Inside: If you're indoors and the building is structurally sound,
stay inside.
Duck, Cover, and Hold On: Duck under a sturdy desk or table, and hold
Inside a Building:
on until shaking stops.
Avoid glass windows, shelves, and heavy objects that could fall.
Be prepared for aftershocks.
Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, power lines, and
concrete structures.
Outside: Stay away from steep slopes that could be affected by landslides.
If near the shore and an earthquake is strong, move quickly to
higher ground in case of a tsunami.
 Stop in a safe area away from buildings, bridges, and overpasses.
In a Moving
Stay inside until shaking stops; avoid stopping under bridges or
Vehicle:
overpasses that may be damaged.

What to Do After an Earthquake:

Be Prepared for Once shaking stops, proceed to the nearest exit if safe to do so.
Aftershocks: Watch for falling debris from damaged buildings.
Use elevators, Enter damaged buildings, Use phones unless necessary,
Do Not:
Panic.
Assess yourself and others for injuries; provide first aid if necessary.
Check water and electrical lines for damage.
Check for Hazards:
Look for spills of chemicals, toxic, or flammable materials.
Control small fires to prevent them from spreading.
If necessary, evacuate your residence; leave a message stating your
Evacuation:
location and bring your emergency supply kit.
Keep updated on disaster instructions through battery-operated
Stay Informed:
radios.
LESSON 4

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
are powerful natural events that can have significant impacts on the environment and
human society. This lesson will cover the causes, characteristics, effects, and measures
to mitigate the impact of volcanic eruptions.
CAUSES OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
Subduction Zones: Oceanic plates subducting beneath continental plates can
lead to the formation of magma and volcanic eruptions.
Tectonic Rift Zones: Plates moving apart at divergent boundaries can create space for
Activity magma to rise to the surface.
Hot Spots: Mantle plumes create localized areas of intense heat that can
cause volcanic activity away from plate boundaries.
Silica Content: High silica content in magma increases its viscosity, leading to
Magma more explosive eruptions.
Composition Gas Content: High levels of dissolved gases in magma can lead to violent
eruptions as the gases expand rapidly upon reaching the surface.
CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
Shield Volcanoes: Broad, gently sloping volcanoes formed by low-viscosity lava
flows (e.g., Mauna Loa in Hawaii).
Types of Stratovolcanoes: Steep, conical volcanoes built by alternating layers of lava
Volcanoes flows, ash, and other volcanic debris (e.g., Mount St. Helens in the USA).
Cinder Cone Volcanoes: Small, steep-sided volcanoes built primarily of volcanic
ash and cinders.
Effusive Eruptions: Non-explosive eruptions characterized by the flow of low-
Eruption viscosity lava.
Styles Explosive Eruptions: Violent eruptions that eject ash, gas, and volcanic rocks
into the atmosphere.
Lava: Molten rock that reaches the Earth's surface.
Tephra: Fragmented volcanic material, including ash, lapilli, and volcanic
Volcanic
bombs. Pyroclastic Flows: Fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic
Materials
matter. Volcanic Gases: Emissions such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfur
dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
 EFFECTS OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
Lava Flows: Destruction of infrastructure, agricultural land, and natural
habitats.
Primary Pyroclastic Flows: Devastation of everything in their path due to their high
Effects temperature and speed.
Ashfall: Disruption of air travel, damage to buildings, and health issues due to
inhalation.
Lahars: Volcanic mudflows triggered by the mixing of volcanic ash with
water, causing destruction downstream.
Secondary Landslides: Mass movements of volcanic debris, often triggered by the
Effects instability of volcanic slopes.
Climate Impact: Volcanic aerosols can reflect sunlight and cool the Earth’s
surface, affecting global climate.
Long-term Economic Impact: Loss of tourism, destruction of infrastructure,
and costs of rebuilding.
Tertiary Agricultural Impact: Loss of crops, contamination of soil, and long-term
Effects changes in land fertility.
Health Impact: Long-term respiratory problems and other health issues due
to ash and gas exposure.

MITIGATION MEASURES
Monitoring and Seismometers: Detecting earthquakes that often precede eruptions.
Early Warning Gas Emissions Monitoring: Measuring volcanic gases to predict eruptions.
Systems Satellite Imagery: Monitoring volcanic activity and ash clouds.
Hazard Zoning: Restricting construction and development in high-risk
Land-Use
areas.
Planning
Evacuation Routes: Planning and maintaining clear evacuation routes.
Structural Lava Diversion: Constructing barriers or channels to divert lava flows.
Mitigation Ashfall Mitigation: Designing buildings to withstand ash accumulation.
Public Community Drills: Regularly conducting evacuation drills. Information
Education and Campaigns: Educating the public about volcanic hazards and safety
Preparedness measures.
 PREPAREDNESS MEASURES
Stocking kits with essential items such as water, food, masks, and
Emergency Kits
goggles.
Family Emergency Creating and practicing plans for communication and evacuation during
Plans a volcanic eruption.
Strengthening homes and buildings to withstand ashfall and other
Building Resilience
volcanic hazards.
Community
Encouraging communities to develop and participate in preparedness
Preparedness
programs and local response teams.
Programs

VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines has several active volcanoes due to its location at the boundaries of the
Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Major volcanoes include Pinatubo, Taal, Mayon,
Bulusan, Kanlaon, and Hibok-Hibok, located in Zambales, Batangas, Bicol, Sorsogon, Negros,
and Mindanao respectively.

Located in Zambales
Pinatubo
Major eruptions: June 1991
Located in Batangas
Taal
Major eruptions: 1911, 1965, 2020
Located in Bicol
Major eruptions: 1984, 1993, 2000-2001, 2009
Mayon
Affected by Typhoon Luming and Dinang in 1981; Typhoon Reming in
2006; major eruption in 1814 (Cagsawa Church)
Bulusan Located in Sorsogon occurred in 1852 (Aguila, 1978). (1988). (1918), (1919)
Kanlaon Located in Negros 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993
Located in Mindanao The volcano has four historic eruptions: 1827, 1862,
Hibok-Hibok
1871-1875, and 1948-1953.
 VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is located in a unique tectonic setting that is conducive to volcanism and
earthquake activity. It sits at the boundaries of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian
Plate, both of which subduct beneath the archipelago along deep trenches on its east and
west seaboard.
TYPES OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS:
Explosive Eruptions: These are violent eruptions characterized by significant ash and gas emissions.
Effusive Eruptions: These eruptions involve steady flows of lava from the volcano onto the ground.

GEOCHEMISTRY:
Geochemical measurements involve monitoring the temperature and chemistry of groundwater.
Changes in temperature and water pH, such as increased acidity, are observed. Gas emissions, such as
sulfur dioxide (SO2), are also monitored. For example, a jump in SO2 emissions from base levels of 100
tons/day to 4,000 tons/day can indicate volcanic unrest.

SEISMIC ACTIVITY/VOLCANIC EARTHQUAKES

Seismometers are used to detect volcanic earthquakes, and an increase in their frequency
often indicates volcanic activity.
Observations:
Visual Observations: These include intensified steaming, changes in vegetation (such as
drying up), crater glow at the summit area, rolling of rocks, localized
landslides, and incandescent glow at summit areas during nighttime.

Auditory Observations: Rumbling sounds can be heard during volcanic unrest.

Olfactory Observations: The smell of sulfur (similar to rotten eggs) can be detected.
Tactile Observations: Sensations like feeling rumbling sounds can be perceived.
LESSON 5

FIRE HAZARDS AND

FIRE SAFETY
Fire hazards are potential sources or conditions that increase the risk of fire.
Understanding these hazards is crucial for preventing fires and ensuring safety
in various environments.
FIRE TRIANGLE The fire triangle (or combustion triangle) illustrates the three essential
components necessary for most fires:
Heat: Initiates and sustains the combustion process. Combustion occurs when a flammable
substance combines with oxygen and is ignited by heat (spark or flame).
Fuel: Provides the material that burns.
This can include solids (wood, paper), liquids (fuels, oils), or gases (propane, methane).
Oxygen: Supports the chemical processes during combustion. Air typically contains about 21%
oxygen, which is necessary for most fires. Fires generally require at least 16% oxygen
content to burn.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE
Fast: Fires can spread rapidly, becoming life-threatening within minutes.
Dark: Even a small fire can produce enough smoke to fill a building quickly, reducing visibility
and making escape difficult.
Deadly: The majority of fire-related deaths result from inhaling toxic gases (carbon dioxide, nitrogen
oxide, carbon monoxide) and smoke, which can cause disorientation and drowsiness.
Hot: Fires can reach temperatures high enough to melt clothing, scorch skin, and damage lungs
with a single breath.
PHASES OF FIRE
Ignition or Incipient Phase:
Initial stage where heat, oxygen, and fuel combine to initiate combustion.
Two types of ignition: piloted (external heat source ignites fuel) and auto-
ignition (heat alone causes combustion).
Smoke and heat are produced; oxygen supply is around 21%.
Growth or Expansion Phase: Fire expands, depleting oxygen and increasing temperature.
Oxygen levels drop below 21%, and temperatures can reach
between 640° to 870°.
 High levels of carbon monoxide are produced, making
breathing difficult and increasing the risk of flashovers.
Fully Developed Phase: All available fuel is burning at its hottest temperature.
Fire depends on the amount of available oxygen (typically less than 16%).
Spread of flammable gases within the area can lead to explosive conditions.
Decay Phase: Fire diminishes as fuel or oxygen is consumed.
Also known as the smoldering phase, characterized by reduced flames and
potential for backdrafts.

TYPES, SEVERITY, AND MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS

TYPES OF BURNS
Burns are tissue injuries caused by exposure to heat, electricity, radiation, or chemicals.
They can vary in severity depending on the extent and depth of tissue damage.

Only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) is damaged.

First Degree Burns: Symptoms include redness and mild swelling, often painful but generally
heal within a few days.
Damage extends beyond the epidermis into the underlying dermis.
Second Degree
Symptoms include redness, swelling, and blistering. These burns can be
Burns:
quite painful.
Destroy the entire thickness of the skin, affecting deeper tissues.
Third Degree Burns: Burned areas may appear white, charred, or leathery.
Third degree burns are typically painless due to nerve damage.

SEVERITY OF BURNS
Burn severity is often categorized based on the percentage of body surface area
affected and the depth of the burn:
Critical Burns:
Considered critical if:
25% or more of the body has second degree burns.
10% or more of the body has third degree burns, especially if they are on the
face, hands, feet, or genital area.
Critical burns can lead to severe complications including infection, fluid loss, and
impaired organ function.
SKIN HOMEOSTATIC IMBALANCES
Burn injuries disrupt the skin’s protective barrier and can lead to:
Dehydration: Loss of fluids through damaged skin.
Electrolyte Imbalance: Disruption of electrolyte levels in the body.
Circulatory Shock: Severe burns can lead to shock due to fluid loss and decreased blood volume.

SKIN STRUCTURE
Epidermis: The outer layer of skin composed of stratified squamous epithelium. It is keratinized,
providing protection against environmental hazards.
Dermis: Beneath the epidermis, composed of dense connective tissue containing blood vessels,
nerve endings, and hair follicles.
CAUSES OF FIRE CLASSES OF FIRE
Natural: Lightning, volcanic eruptions, wildfires. Common combustibles such as wood,
Class A:
Man-made: Cooking accidents, electrical faults, paper, and plastics.
smoking, fireworks. Flammable liquids like gasoline, oils, and
Class B:
FIRE SAFETY TIPS solvents.
Maintain and test smoke alarms regularly.
Energized electrical equipment, including
Keep flammable materials stored safely Class C:
wiring and appliances.
and away from heat sources.
Practice proper electrical safety, avoid Combustible metals such as potassium,
Class D:
overloading circuits, and inspect wiring. sodium, and magnesium.
Combustible cooking media such as oils
Class K:
and fats used in commercial kitchens.
FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
Fire Extinguishers:
Types include water (Class A), powder (Class ABC), CO2 (Class B and electrical), and wet
chemical (Class K).
Fire Drills:
Practice phases include alarm activation, response coordination, orderly evacuation, assembly at
safe points, headcount verification, and post-drill evaluation.
Using a Fire Extinguisher:
Remember PASS—Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from
side to side.