(P1-52) Educational Program of Disaster Preparedness in the Earthquake Prone Area, Mie, Japan

Abstract

Background

Major earthquakes with a magnitude of 7-8 are anticipated to occur in the next 30 years at a 60 percent chance on the southern coast of Mie, Japan. Since the most part of the Mie Prefecture, Japan, is likely to be damaged by tsunami and landslides, residents are expected to take self-reliant approach on the initial several days after the earthquake.

Aim

Developing disaster support system in including community based medical disaster preparedness in the region.

Methods

We have been providing knowledge and techniques to cope with the earthquake cooperated with experts of earthquake engineering. Basic and advanced life support educational programs for acute illness and trauma that may occur in earthquake and/or tsunami as well as during the evacuation and sheltering have been developed for public, local medical associations and the main hospital in the region. Moreover, we have started a new community continuous educational course to promote the public disaster preparedness. We teach introduction of emergency and disaster medicine to enhance knowledge of natural and social science on disaster preparedness.

Results

Local residents including public and medical personnel started to acquire a general idea of disaster and emergency medicine. The educational programs seemed to motivate local residents and healthcare professions.