Revising a regional disaster management plan using ethnographic data

Abstract

The present study examined disaster response activities written in a regional disaster management plan of a municipal government in Tokyo. The purpose of this study was to propose a method to improve the plan, formulating a consensual decision making process where municipal officials check and validate their response activities in the plan. During this process, we indicated that response activities in the plan were divided into three categories: 1) general administration, employing standard skills but increased workload, 2) activities unique in a disaster, and 3) activities which are misallocated. We therefore identified which activities should be focused on. The next step was to implement operational simulation training, using ethnographic data obtained from interviews of responders in previous disasters. Acquired operational understanding through the conventions helped officials judge how the disaster management plan should be revised. Consequently, we clarified necessary modifications in the plan. Participants felt that municipal disaster preparedness was enhanced. © 2013 WIT Press.