Competencies to Contend with Hazards and Disasters

Abstract

This research study identified the competencies  necessary to survive natural hazards and disasters. In  addition, it held that these competencies are best identified  by the (1) people involved in disaster risk reduction like  planners, managers, and responders and the (2) survivors  of major disasters like earthquake, landslide, volcanic  eruption, and typhoon. The former have the training and  experience in saving lives during critical times while the  latter have directly experienced dangers and eventually  triumphed over fatal conditions. Competencies gathered  through focus group discussions and interviews were  grouped into two: preparedness competencies and  response competencies. The identified competencies  include possession of disaster kit, ability to use disaster  imagination, obedience to authority, trained in disaster  preparedness or survival skills, application of science in  decision-making, presence of mind, and possession of  right attitude like optimism and being proactive. Finally,  this research recommends that intensive disaster education  and training in the schools and in the community be done,  survivors' experiences in crafting disaster education  and training programs be included and taught, non-skill  competencies like behavior and attitude during disaster  education and training.