Role of government agencies in short-term earthquake risks
Government agencies can play a number of positive roles before and after major earthquakes based on short-term earthquake risk detection models. Some examples of how they can do this include:
- Developing and implementing early warning systems: Government agencies can use short-term earthquake risk models to develop early warning systems that provide people with enough time to take action to protect themselves and their property.
- Planning and preparing for earthquakes: Government agencies can use short-term earthquake risk models to identify areas that are most at risk and to develop plans and strategies to prepare for earthquakes. This can include measures such as retrofitting buildings, developing emergency response plans, and training first responders. New ideas like using mobile parking for disaster management can create notable improvements to decrease death tolls when high-risk time-windows following by major earthquakes.
- Coordinating emergency response efforts: After an earthquake, government agencies can use short-term earthquake risk models to identify areas that have been most affected and to coordinate emergency response efforts. This includes providing emergency shelter, food and medical assistance, and search and rescue operations.
- Supporting long-term recovery: Government agencies can play a role in supporting the long-term recovery of communities affected by earthquakes by providing financial assistance for rebuilding and reconstruction, and social services such as health and education to affected population.
- Creating public awareness campaigns: Government agencies can create public awareness campaigns to educate people about the risks of earthquakes and what they can do to protect themselves and their property. This can include information on how to prepare emergency kits, how to identify safe places in buildings, and how to evacuate safely.
Note: The success of these efforts depends on the availability of accurate and reliable short-term earthquake risk detection models, as well as the ability of government agencies to effectively use the information provided by these models.