professionals - storms - preparedness

E-Learning for StormsProfessionals

e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

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PreparednessIn the following you will be provided with information on :

• How to recognise the signs or Warnings about Storms

• How to prepare for a storm

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/wind/severe-wind-infographic

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/wind/severe-wind-infographic


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AwarenessStorms are a natural phenomenon which cannot be prevented, but if you are aware of the signs and impacts shown in the prevention module you can be better prepared.

See Britain’s Worst Weather – view next slide © Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence


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AwarenessTo recap, a storm is created whena centre of low pressure develops with a system of high pressure around it. The combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds , such as cumulonimbus.

© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/clouds/low-level-clouds/cumulonimbus


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AwarenessMost countries have weather warning services to alert the public and emergency responders of severe weather which has the potential to cause danger to life or widespread disruption. This service may include warnings for rain, snow, wind, fog and ice or any combination of these.

http://www.meteoalarm.eu/


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Awareness• Other agencies have alert systems which can help them plan for Storms in advance and estimate the consequences.

• For example the MetOffice provides early warnings to the Insurance Industry across Europe on storms

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/industry/insurance/euro-windstorm


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AwarenessAs highlighted in the prevention Module there are several types of storm which you may experience -Blizzards , Hailstorm, Ice storm, Snow storm, Storm Surge,Thunderstorms

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/ice

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/snow/severe-snow-infographic

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/weather-phenomena/storm-surge

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/thunder-and-lightning


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AwarenessThe various weather warning services across the world have adopted common symbols to signify the different types of Weather which are:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/guide/weather/severe-weather-advice


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AwarenessCommon to these types of Storm are strong winds. For a storm this would be measured as anything over 53 m.p.h. / 85 k.p.h. which isForce 10 on the Beaufort scale.

Beaufort 1-min Wind speed Effects on land

0Calm 0 - 1 mph Calm. Smoke rises vertically.

1Light air 1 - 3 mph Smoke drift indicates wind direction and wind vanes cease

moving.2

Light breeze 3 - 7 mph Wind felt on exposed skin. Leaves rustle and wind vanes begin to move.

3Gentle breeze 7 - 12 mph Leaves and small twigs constantly moving, light flags extended.

4Moderate

breeze12 - 17 mph Dust and loose paper raised. Small branches begin to move.

5Fresh breeze 17 - 24 mph Branches of a moderate size move. Small trees in leaf begin to

sway.6

Strong breeze 24 - 30 mph Large branches in motion. Whistling heard in overhead wires. Umbrella use becomes difficult. Empty plastic bins tip over.

7Near gale 30 - 38 mph Whole trees in motion. Effort needed to walk against the wind.

8Gale 38 - 46 mph Some twigs broken from trees. Cars veer on road. Progress on

foot is seriously impeded.9

Severe gale 46 - 54 mph Some branches break off trees, and some small trees blow over. Construction/temporary signs and barricades blow over.

10Storm 54 - 63 mph

Trees are broken off or uprooted, saplings bent and deformed. Poorly attached asphalt shingles and shingles in poor condition

peel off roofs.

11Violent storm 63 - 73 mph

Widespread damage to vegetation. Many roofing surfaces are damaged; asphalt tiles that have curled up and/or fractured due

to age may break away completely.

12Hurricane 73 - 99 mph

Very widespread damage to vegetation. Some windows may break; mobile homes and poorly constructed sheds and barns

are damaged. Debris may be hurled about.

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/weatherbrains/Sir-Francis-Beaufort.htm


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PlanningPlanning - the key phases of the planning process in preparation for storms will be to:• Plan – identify the risks / threats and what you can do to mitigate, minimise or deal with them • Do – identify the resources you have available and any “gaps” which you might need to address to deal with the risk / threat• Check – that the Plan is deliverable, train and exercise and make everyone involved in its delivery aware of the Plan• Act – when required implement the plan and identify any changes required and implement them – review and revise the Plan


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PlanningPlanIdentifying the risks and threats:Using multi service / agency meetings to ensure you have the full picture of the risks for your area, services and Community and the potential impacts from storms – wind damage / flooding/ damage to infrastructure


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Planning


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PlanningPlanIdentifying any special areas which may need additional support or special arrangementsfor vulnerable people or places


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PlanningPlan Consider how you alert the public – media / news bulletins / co-ordination between services / social media – what message is given?

Consider the following:-• Who decides if evacuation is required? – Is it Individual / Service / Local Authority / Government?


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Planning• Other considerations you need to have regarding evacuation – safe routes / staff to assist / numbers involved / safety messages / special equipment for vulnerable or disabled people / transport requirements and sources / communications / other services responsibilities and roles.

• How do you get the message to evacuate out?


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Planning• Consider promotion of preparations such as Grab bags and Car safety kits (see adults section).• Emergency Preparedness in UK – view next slide

See also Get Ready For Winter

• Where do you direct evacuees to go – friends and relatives – higher ground – special evacuation Centres (Reception / Rest Centres) – Identify who is responsible for people who are evacuated – local municipality / church groups

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter


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PlanningPlanIdentify your Command structure in a Storm Response

• Which service has overall responsibility

• How services / responders will interact

• How decisions will be made and communicated


PlanningDo:Identifying your resourcesUsing Multi service / agency information to identify the available resources to deal with storms and what others can do to help with any gaps


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PlanningDo:Assess if you will need additional support

Identify which Services may be able to help

Voluntary Sector (Red Cross / Churches); Other Municipalities; Military ; Public Volunteers


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PlanningCheckThe Plan is deliverable Train and Exercise Single service and multi agencyTraining and Exercising helps all parties know and understand their roles.


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PlanningActWhen required implement your Plan This takes you into the Response and Recovery phase but note any lessons to be learned to feed back into the Preparedness Planning stage


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Preparedness

Complete the cycle by reviewing any lessons to be learned for activating the Plan and review , revise and republish the Plan


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PreparednessAs a First Responder do you have business continuity arrangements?

You need to plan for delivering your service throughout the storm and after

Source: BCI


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PreparednessWhy do we need to carry out Business Continuity Management?In the UK for example The Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004Chapter 6 of the Emergency Preparedness Guidance states that:• The Act requires Category 1 responders to maintain plans to ensure that they can continue to perform their functions in the event of an emergency, so far as is reasonably practicable. • The duty to maintain plans relates to all the functions of a Category 1 responder, not just its civil protection functions.

(Chapter 6: Business Continuity Management )


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PreparednessThere are many types of events that could lead to a business interruption.

These disruptions can all lead to a loss of staff.


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PreparednessThere are many types of events that could lead to a business interruption.

These disruptions can all lead to a loss of or access to premises.


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PreparednessThe list of business interruptions is not exhaustive and therefore it is not feasible to plan for all risks.It is more feasible to plan for the consequences of the risks and most can be categorised into 6 key areas:• Loss of key staff• Loss of premises or access to premises• Loss of utilities• Loss of ICT• Loss of essential equipment• Loss of key suppliers


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PreparednessPreparation of personnel and vehicles• Key resources for any Responder are their personnel, vehicles and equipment.

• Driver training for all conditions is important - view next slide

• While Responders will have regular vehicle maintenance checks they may need to have additional preparations for storms to cope with exceptional conditions.


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Preparedness• Key items to consider • Correct Tyres – winter tyres may need to be fitted in advance of severe weather events – this takes time, particularly on large HGV vehicles, so pre-planning is important.• Batteries and Coolant checks – maintain batteries and coolant at optimum levels as they will be critical to vehicle performance and getting resources and personnel to locations in responses. Re-check after every response.• Washers and Wiper blades - windscreen vision is critical for safe driving and response.


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PreparednessOther factors – • Access around the area – pre identify potential critical locations where access may be difficult in severe weather events.• Are these on designated priority routes for snow clearance / gritting / gully cleaning - if not can they be designated?• Are there areas which might be “cut off” in severe weather events – can you place resources in those areas so that access can be overcome.• Can communities in areas likely to be “cut –off” be trained / encouraged to self help? ( Community Resilience)


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Preparedness• Access to your facilities / buildings

• Does your business continuity Plan include information on how to maintain access to your buildings in severe weather? Gritting routes and grit / salt stocks to maintain access.• Options for ensuring personnel can safely get to and from your facilities / buildings.


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The Final but most important Phase• As discussed earlier you will have pre-determined plans for how your service will respond to various types of incident. • You have pre-planned the level and type of response based on experience and guidance from appropriate partners and agencies.• The special conditions which make storms different will be the strength of the wind and what it brings with it – rain, hail, sleet , snow or ice.

Preparedness


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Health and Safety of personnel in Storms will be critical.

• Staff training in correct techniques and use of equipment – chain saws / water rescue / driving.

• Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its use.

• Support staff availability to relieve personnel after a set period to maintain operational capability.

Preparedness


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Driving in Severe weather• Unlike civilian drivers Response vehicles do not have the option not to go out – their response may be life saving so consideration of the conditions and type of vehicles being used is important .• Large HGV / 4x4 / Specialist Response vehicle - all will behave differently in severe weather and particularly winds.• In high winds be aware of the affects of vehicle performance particularly in exposed areas where side winds may cause vehicles to swerve about.

Preparedness


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Driving Cont’d.• In Heavy Rain or Floods the road surfaces may be covered by pools of water so speed may cause aquaplaning.• Similarly, if the pools are deep, driving through them can damage the engine through water ingress affecting the electrics and stopping the vehicle “dead in the water”.• In snow or icy conditions the surface grip for vehicles is affected and, if not using snow tyres or chains, the possibility of skidding is increased, particularly if driving at speed• Wind blown debris – branches, street furniture etc. are also additional hazards to beware of.

Preparedness


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Copyright StatementThis educational resource has been produced by the partners of the e-PPR Project (e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters) with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.

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professionals - storms - preparedness

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