| Session 3 Presentation of Tokyo
(1) TMPD’s Operation in Great East Japan Earthquake ( Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department )
《Summary of the Presentation》
Support activities for the Great East Japan Earthquake given by TMPD were introduced. These included the collection of information pertaining to the transportation situation in the affected areas, search for survivors, and securing roads for rescue vehicles. In Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, amidst houses that have lost all semblance of their original form as a result of the tsunami, TMPD searched, in helicopters and using heavy machinery, for residents left behind, provided mental care for residents in the affected areas, and helped to transport supplies. An emphasis was placed on the importance of collecting and consolidating information on damages in the early stages of a disaster such as an earthquake, in order to enable prompt steps to be taken to rescue victims. Rather than simply collecting information on damages and road transportation using the Police Department’s disaster and security support system, as well as fully utilizing police posts (koban), patrol cars, police motorcade, patrol boats, and helicopters, information is also collated from the private sector, such as taxi drivers. Efforts to provide this information to, and to share it with, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Fire Department, were also introduced.
(2) Learning from the Great East Japan Earthquake (Disaster Prevention Division in TMG)
《Summary of the Presentation》
Explanations were provided on the current situation and issues in handling the Commuters unable to return home, as one of the lessons drawn from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Even Tokyo, which is located a distance away from the affected areas, could not escape damage. As public transportation agencies were paralyzed, a particularly large number of people faced difficulties in returning home from their places of work. Reports gave the number of such people as approximately 3 million. It has been predicted that the number of the Commuters unable to return home in the event of an earthquake striking directly under the Tokyo Metropolitan area would reach 3.92 million. As such, residents in Metropolitan Tokyo would be expected not to head home blindly, but to make contact with their families. In addition, they are recommended to keep a pair of sneakers at their work places, and to draw up maps of the route leading from their work places to their homes. To date, although agreements have been made with gas stations and convenience stores to supply water and allow the use of toilets, it has become clear during this disaster that this was still insufficient. For the future, it is important to continue reviewing measures to prevent people from returning home immediately, conclude agreements for the supply of holding facilities and food, provide the Commuters unable to return home with appropriate information, promote the establishment of support stations for those returning home, and the review of alternative means of transportation. Regardless of the measure, an emphasis was put on the importance of broad-based efforts, cooperation with private-sector corporations, and mutual assistance between residents.
(3) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Crisis ( Tokyo Fire Department )
《Summary of the Presentation》
Activities undertaken by the Tokyo Fire Department at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station were introduced. First, an overview of the earthquake was given, and further, an explanation was provided, alongside anecdotes, on the importance of disaster prevention education. Elementary school students facing the rising tsunami waves escaped to the third floor of the school building; however, when they witnessed junior high school students nearby escaping to higher ground, the elementary school students also escaped to higher ground together. This anecdote illustrated the importance of the routine education that taught the students to run to higher ground. Next, activities undertaken in the aftermath of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station were described, following the passage of time as events unfolded when the disaster struck. The hardships faced by workers when emergency evacuation became necessary as a result of the fire at Reactor No. 3, as well as the difficulties faced during the work of dousing water on the nuclear power station, were relayed during the presentation. It was made known that 6 troop members were exposed to more than 10 millisievert of radiation, and an emphasis was placed on the importance of safety management when handling a nuclear power station. Beginning with the personal experience of directing the response for a nuclear power station, the presentation concluded with an explanation on how the situation should be handled. Recommendations were made to introduce education in anticipation of radiation accidents, to incorporate high-level experts and doctors into the troops as advisors and to undertake training alongside these people, as well as to bring in the latest equipment in order to dispel anxiety among troop members. In the future, there is a need for the Tokyo Fire Department to come together as an organization to review the above. |
