The ITIC Training Program on Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation Systems has focused since 2005 on improving operating procedures for tsunami warning and emergency response as essential for successful tsunami warning. While infrequent, tsunamis can be extremely deadly because of their quick onset and immediate impact in minutes. In order to warn quickly and have the public evacuate when necessary, agencies must pre-plan and have protocols and procedures which are well-known to every stakeholder and to the public, and which are well-exercised and practiced. Communities must know their hazard and risk, and prepare in advance, so that every person can recognize the tsunami danger and know what to do to save their lives. Week one will focus on earthquake seismology and tsunami hazard assessment for planning and warning decision-making. Week two will focus on the end-to-end tsunami warning and emergency response chain, focusing on the importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for enabling consistent and rapid tsunami warning and response, and using Chile as a working example. SOP development is a dynamic process, and each event is unique in its generation and impact, and so also in its response. In every event, we learn a little more about the science of tsunamis and how to better mitigate against their impact. Training activities will include warning decision-making, use of decision-support tools, evacuation planning, public awareness, drills, a field trip to understand tsunami deposits, and site visits to agencies involved in response. Emphasis will also be placed on building community preparedness, especially for local tsunamis, through Tsunami Ready programs.

no event notes available