- a. police officers
- b. firefighters
- c. insurance agents
- d. emergency medical technicians
Insurance agents are not first responders. First responders at a disaster are emergency services such as police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who provide immediate assistance.
c
Lower branches can break and damage the roof or injure people during storms, and they can allow fire to spread to the building. Cutting them back reduces these risks and improves access for rescue or firefighting.
Cutting off all branches of trees below 3 metres of height standing near your house is an important disaster preparedness measure for several reasons. First, it reduces the hazard from falling branches during storms or high winds, which can cause injury to people and damage to property. Second, it prevents branches from contacting the roof, which can start fires through friction or provide access routes for pests and insects into your home. Third, it ensures clear access for emergency services such as fire brigades and ambulances to reach your house quickly during disasters. Finally, it provides safe evacuation routes for residents by removing obstacles that could impede movement during emergencies. This simple preventive measure significantly enhances the safety of your household and neighbourhood during severe weather events.
- a. Fire
- b. Earthquake
- c. Tsunami
- d. Riot
"Drop, Cover, Hold" is the standard immediate action drill for earthquakes: drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops.
b
- a. 114
- b. 112
- c. 115
- d. 118
112 is India's panβemergency number that connects callers to police, fire and medical services. Use the local fire number if different, otherwise call 112.
b
- a. 'Stop, Drop, Roll' is for fire.
- b. 'Drop, Cover, Hold' is for an earthquake.
- c. 'If sea water recedes back, run to higher places' is for flood.
- d. 'If gunshots are heard, drop to the ground and cover the head with hand' is for riot.
If sea water recedes and exposes the seafloor it is a warning sign of a tsunami; people should move to higher ground. That statement is not advice for a flood, so option (c) is untrue as written.
c
- a. Avoid, any place where police or security forces action is in progress.
- b. Know the height of your street above sea level and the distance of your street from the coast.
- c. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall.
- d. Before opening a door, feel it with the back of your hand.
Staying away from windows, outside doors, walls and anything that can fall is specific to earthquake safety (protect yourself from falling debris). The other options relate to civil unrest (a), tsunami/flood preparedness (b), and fire safety (d).
c
Local residents and community volunteers are usually first on the scene and can provide lifesaving assistance (evacuation, first aid, basic search and rescue) until official responders arrive.
Community first responders are the local people who provide immediate help and assistance before professional disaster management teams and emergency services arrive at the scene. These include neighbours, family members, local volunteers, community leaders and community-based organisations. They are crucial because they are present at the location when disaster strikes and can provide initial rescue, first aid, shelter and support to affected persons. Their quick action often saves lives and reduces suffering during the critical first hours of a disaster, before trained professionals can reach the area.
Defines tsunami, lists causes, effects and a key warning sign and safety action (move to higher ground).
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused primarily by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or underwater landslides. These waves travel extremely fast across the ocean and can cover vast distances in a short time. When tsunamis reach the shore, they can cause severe coastal flooding, destruction of buildings, loss of life and widespread damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Important warning signs include a strong earthquake felt near the coast, unusual animal behaviour, and rapid recession or withdrawal of the sea from the shore. If you observe these warning signs, you should immediately move to higher ground away from the coast and stay there until authorities declare it safe to return. Understanding tsunami hazards and knowing how to respond can save lives in coastal regions prone to seismic activity.
Location on convergent plate boundaries and subduction zones makes Indonesia more seismically active; Japan's dense network detects earthquakes well but does not change their frequency.
Although Japan has the densest seismic network in the world with advanced monitoring equipment, Indonesia experiences the most number of earthquakes due to its unique geographical location. Indonesia lies on multiple active tectonic plate boundaries, particularly where the Pacific Plate, Eurasian Plate and Indo-Australian Plate meet and interact. This region is part of the seismically active 'Ring of Fire' that encircles the Pacific Ocean, an area characterised by intense volcanic and seismic activity. The frequent collision and subduction of these tectonic plates in Indonesian waters and surrounding regions cause continuous stress release in the form of earthquakes. Therefore, Indonesia's high earthquake frequency is a direct result of its position at the intersection of major tectonic plates, not because of the presence or absence of monitoring networks. Japan's dense seismic network allows it to detect and record earthquakes very accurately, but the actual number of earthquakes occurring in Indonesia is much higher due to its geological setting.
Follows the "Drop, Cover, Hold" procedure, avoids hazards like glass and falling objects, and advises safe evacuation practices.
If you are indoors during an earthquake, your immediate priority is to protect yourself from falling objects and structural collapse. Drop to the ground immediately and take cover under sturdy furniture such as a strong table or desk, and hold on firmly until the shaking stops completely. Stay away from windows, outside walls, mirrors and heavy furniture or objects that may fall and cause injury. Do not run outside during the shaking as falling debris and broken glass pose serious hazards. Never use elevators during an earthquake as they may malfunction or trap you inside. If you are in a building, remain inside and only evacuate after the shaking has stopped and it is safe to do so. Check for injuries and hazards before moving, and be prepared for aftershocks that may follow the main earthquake.
The textbook states: "On an average, in India, every year, about 25,000 persons die due to fires ... Female accounts for about 66% of those killed in fire accidents. It is estimated that about 42 females and 21 males die every day in India due to fire."
About 21 males and 42 females per day
Immediate evacuation to high ground, following warnings and official instructions, and staying away from the shore until the all-clear are the key responses to a tsunami.
If you receive an official tsunami warning or notice warning signs such as a strong earthquake near the coast or unusual and rapid recession of the sea, you must respond immediately and decisively. Move to higher ground or inland areas away from the coast as quickly as possible and stay there until authorities officially declare it safe to return. Follow official evacuation routes and instructions provided by disaster management authorities rather than attempting your own route. Avoid going to the coast or low-lying areas to observe the tsunami, as this puts you in extreme danger. Do not wait to see the tsunami wave before evacuating, as tsunamis can arrive with little warning. Gather your family members and move together to designated safe zones. Listen to emergency broadcasts and official announcements for updates on the situation and instructions for return. Your quick action and adherence to official guidance can save your life and that of your family members.
Post-tsunami actions focus on safety (avoid hazards and contaminated water), assisting others, and following official guidance for relief and recovery.
After a tsunami strikes, it is essential to follow proper safety procedures to protect yourself and help others. Stay away from flooded or damaged areas as they may contain hazardous materials, contaminated water, sharp debris and unstable structures. Do not enter buildings until they have been inspected by structural engineers and declared safe, as walls and roofs may collapse without warning. If you are trained in first aid, help injured persons carefully and call emergency services for those requiring medical attention. Listen carefully to authorities and official announcements for information about the situation, relief measures and instructions for safe return to your home. Avoid using contaminated water for drinking or cooking; instead boil water or use safe water supplies provided by authorities. Report any hazards you observe such as downed power lines, gas leaks, or damaged infrastructure to the authorities immediately so they can take corrective action. Help your community by participating in cleanup and relief activities as directed by officials, and support vulnerable members of your community who may need assistance.
Three clear actions: raise alarm and call for help; use stopβdropβroll or fire extinguisher if appropriate; evacuate safely staying low to avoid smoke inhalation.
During a fire, your first action should be to alert others immediately by shouting or using alarm systems, and call the emergency number 112 or your local fire service without delay. If your clothing catches fire, stop moving, drop to the ground and roll repeatedly to extinguish the flames; do not run as this spreads the fire. If the fire is small and contained in one area and you are trained in using fire extinguishers, you may attempt to use one following the proper technique, but only if you can do so safely without blocking your escape route. For larger fires or if you are unsure, evacuate the building immediately using the nearest staircase, never using elevators as they may malfunction during a fire. Stay as low as possible while moving through smoke to breathe cleaner air near the ground, and feel doors with the back of your hand before opening them to check if they are hot. Once you have evacuated, move to a safe assembly point away from the building and wait for emergency services to arrive.