Lesson 2: Community-
Based Disaster Risk
Reduction and
Management For
Preparedness
In the Philippine setting, the barangay is basic
political unit of the society. In each barangay,
administrative leaders are elected to implement
government programs like Disaster Risk
Reduction. The government believes that an
effective disaster risk reduction programs could
be made possible under the cooperation of the
barangay and thru the members of the
community. This idea leads to the creation of
Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
(CBDRM).
CBDRM connotes that the empowerment of the
community is an effective disaster preparedness
program. Toward this end, the community shall
develop the following key elements in disaster
preparedness:
[Link] of the Community - This means that
the community must have the feeling of being
accountable to each and every member during the
occurrence of disaster. Thus, the community must be
the initiator of all community based disaster risk
reduction [Link]
2. Support traditional method in planning disaster
preparedness programs and organizing disaster preparedness
campaign.
3. Determining priorities in disaster risk reduction. In this
element, the community may prioritized the most vulnerable
groups within their unit and those who may likewise assist in
case of disasters.
4. Cooperation with the different agencies. Lead agencies
tasked with planning, mitigat- ing, and recovery in times of
disasters include the National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council, the Provincial, City or Municipal
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the Bureau of
Fire Protection, the Philippine National Police, Non-
governmental Agencies and others.
5. Information Drives. This pertains to the dissemination of
information relevant to disaster risk reduction to members of
the community.
FAMILY DISASTER EMERGENCY PLAN
Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction starts with the
family as the family is considered as the basic social unit in the
country. It is therefore important that the family should
prepare their own disaster emergency plan.
Disaster may strike at time when you expected it the least. It
may even happen when family members are not around. It is
therefore important to have a family disaster emergency plan
so as to inform others what to do and where to go in case of
disaster.
In making a plan, you may consider the following questions:
1. What is the emergency alerts and warnings?
2. Where is the safest location for evacuation?
3. How will my family get to the identified safe locations?
4. If cellular phone doesn't work, how will we communicate?
5. Who is in-charge of bringing vital documents?
6. Is the emergency kit prepared?
7. Who will take charge of bringing the medicine kit?
Here are a few easy steps to start your emergency plan:
1. Determine steps on how to receive emergency alerts
and warnings.
Train children to tune in to TV weather reports or
making a communication to local officials.
2. Discuss with the family members the
emergency preparedness plan [Link]
the family also in the plan for additional awareness
and training.
3. Collect necessary information and provide copies for
each member of the family. Information may include the
following:
• Phone numbers of each member of the family (work.
cellular, office).
•Email addresses of family members.
•Social media like facebook, twitter, instagram and others.
Family members should be followers of each other.
•Hospital location, names of doctors, emergency service
providers.
• School of each member of the family.
•Identified evacuation area.
4. Pick an emergency meeting place and be familiarize
with its geography. Things to consider:
•Decide on safe, accessible and familiar place for
evacuation.
• Think also for evacuation place of your pets.
•Meeting places that may be considered include commu-
nity center, churches, family friend or relative's houses.
5. Share information to family members and friends.A copy
of cellular phone numbers and other pertinent in- formation
must be kept in wallets, purse or daily planner.
One copy should be retained at home and placed on a
strategic location.
6. Practice your plan together with your family
members.
Talk with family members regarding the plan. It may
be done during weekend, family outing or over dinner.
Community-Based Early Warning Systems
As part of community-based disaster risk reduction and
management, a community-based early warning system is
develop. The early warning system may be conducted
through the use of radio communication or megaphones in
some localities. Recently, a new method of community-
based early warning system was developed and this is
through the use of text messaging.
An early warning system aims to:
1. Disseminate timely information in case of disaster.
2. To offer sufficient time for the community members to
prepare for any disaster.
3. Capacity building of barangay officials and community
leaders.
4. To raise awareness of the leaders and members of the
community regarding the occurrence of disaster.
5. To mitigate the impact of disaster.
6. Develop preparedness measures through the installation
of a systematic communication and early warning system in
the community.
7. It also improves the capacity of the vulnerable
members communities in reducing the impact of
disasters by:
A. Establishing the community's risk management
capacity.
B. Forming flood watch points and installation of manual
or tradition rain gauges.
C.. Establish social support networks.
[Link] the people in the community as regards i.e.
livestock raising or agricultural preparation.
Steps for Having an Effective EWS and Evacuation
Plan
In the preparation of an early warning system in the
community, the following may be considered:
1. Conduct of training with Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS) or any other government agency
tasked to prevent, prepare and response during disasters.
2. Knowing the flood control system of the community's
river basin.
3. Determining the process of relaying flood forecast to
affected
4. Identifying areas which are susceptible to disasters.
5. Determining the best method to use as flood markers.
6. Knowing the number of flood markers as basis for the
EWS.
Lesson 3: Survival Kits and Materials
Survival kits and emergency supplies are necessary in the
disaster preparedness. These are the two most important
considerations in the preparation of family emergency
preparedness plan. Supplies must be portable for easy
evacuation.
Below is the list of contents of emergency kits and
materials as provided by the American Red Cross:
1. One gallon of water per person, per day
3-day supply for evacuation
2-week supply for home
2. Non-perishable and easy to prepare food
3-day supply for evacuation
2-week supply for home
3. Battery operated or rechargeable flashlights
4. Battery-powered radio
5. Extra batteries or power banks. Solar powered banks are
advisable. It could be use even when electric power is
down.
6. First aid kit
7. Medications and medical items for at least 7 day supply
8. Multi-purpose tool
9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items
10. Copies of personal documents
• medication list and pertinent medical information
•proof of address
•deed/lease to home
•passports
•birth certificates
•insurance policies
•School records and others
additional need of family members may also be considered.
1. Medical Supplies
2. Baby supplies
3. Games and activities for children
4. Pet supplies
5. Two-way radios
6. Extra set of car keys and house keys
7. Can opener
Below are the items to be considered depending to the type
of disaster which hit your area.
1. Whistle
2. N95 or surgical masks
3. Matches
4. Rain gear
5. Towels
First Aid Kits
First aid kits and over the counter drugs are also integral
components of the disaster kit and supplies. There are cases
in which drug stores are closed that it is impossible for
members of the family to travel and purchase for the
needed medicines.
Consider attending to first aid class or trainings given
by the Red Cross or other competent [Link]
most injuries, stopping the bleeding, preventing
infection and decontamination are the three most
common things that must be [Link]
The following list is prepared by the American Red
Cross and must be considered in your first aid kit:
1. Two pairs of Latex or other sterile gloves if you
are allergic to Latex
2. Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
3. Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
4. Antibiotic ointment
5. Burn ointment
6. Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
7. Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general
decontaminant
8. Thermometer
9. Prescription medications you take every day such
as Insulin, heart medicine and
Asthma inhalers.
10. Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and
blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies
Non-prescription drugs:
1. Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
2. Anti-diarrhea medication
3. Antacid
4. Laxative
Other first aid supplies:
1. Scissors
Tweezers
3. Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
