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My colleague took my photo as we received training on how to handle a disaster, should it occur.
Japan takes emergency preparedness seriously. K and I have seen programs on television, fairs in the local parks, etc. centered on what to do in a variety of emergencies. You can check out K’s blog for the emergency fair pictures from Sapporo this past summer.
But Friday, at the Frontier Research Center for Global Change, was an emergency preparedness drill. We were warned in advance to have our shoes on, then at 11:00 am, the alarm went off, telling us that an earthquake drill was underway. We were to put on our safety helmets and take cover under our desk. After about 2 minutes, we were instructed to assemble in the parking lot outside the building.
An orderly assembly at the FRCGC for the disaster preparation program
A presentation was made by the Yokohama fire department, showing how to use fire extinguishers, then a demonstration was performed, not only by the firemen, but also by the fire captains from FRCGC. Then the big fire truck came out and the firemen demonstrated the operation of the hoses from their truck. That didn’t go so well, as they could never get the pressure high enough to make an impressive demo.
After the formal group presentation, we were asked to split to take part in one of four activities: fire extinguisher practice:
Workers at FRCGC practice using a fire extinguisher.
navigating a smoke filled room:
FRCGC staff member emerges from the smoke tunnel.
earthquake simulation:
Pick your quake -- this truck could throw you for a real loop!
or CPR training.
FRCGC workers watch a CPR and defibrillator demo.
I did the smoke filled room. It was REALLY smokey — couldn’t see more than about 1 or 2 feet in front of me. I held a handkerchief over my nose and mouth to keep from breathing in the “smoke” (which although I don’t know exactly what it was, wasn’t smoke), and moved along the wall, feeling my way from one end to other to get out. It was much harder than I imagined it would be. The 10 m length of the orange canvass tunnel seemed much longer as I crawled on my knees from one side to the other.
As always, the Japanese people were very attentive to the presentations.
FRCGC staffers listen attentively to instructions on navigating your way through a smoke-filled room.
I must say, such drills, while they may seem a bit silly at the time, are no doubt worthwhile. And they’re taken seriously here. And the fact that EVERYONE participates leaves me feeling a bit less worried about how Japan will handle the real thing. They’ve been through numerous strong quakes before. Natural hazards are a part of life here. But instead of ignoring the dangers and believing that catastrophes can only happen someplace else, they train and prepare for them. Now, thanks to the Yokohama Fire Department, I’ve learned a little something about what it would be like getting through/out of a smoky building.
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Cultural observations from my time in Japan 