We have the similar CERT training over here (adopted from US). I had the chance to study on the original material. All I can say is, it is much better than no training but it is never enough isn't it?

My focus is generally on earthquakes. As there is no way to prevent an earthquake all you can do is to be prepared when you have to face it. Each individual should be made aware of the risk that will come across one day and should be reminded it is the responsibility of everyone to take action in emergency preparedness. The Government authorities should not ignore the role of NGOs in civil defence and support them to run their emergency preparedness programmes in order to improve the preparedness level of the public. There is no way to save lives with only forming SAR teams in big numbers or with high technology SAR equipment. More resources should be transferred to Public Awareness Programmes without any hesitation. In big events or even in local ones 85% of the casualties are rescued by individuals. 15% is left to the teams. The more the man on the street knows or is able, the better it is.

Lets take Istanbul as an example: With a population over 12 million citizens and a recorded building stock of 1.200.000, the city is only 10 miles from the faultline which lays on the bottom of the Marmara Sea. The results of the research on the faultlines tell us how bad the impact will be. There are different theories about the expected earthquake but most experts agree that the time span is between 2 to 30 years and a magnitude not less than 7 on the Richter Scale can be expected.

City Authorities estimate a loss of 15% of the buildings within Istanbul. This may seem like a large number for a such a city but the illegal, uncontrolled construction process which took place for many years makes even this number optimistic. This also means that roughly over a million citizens of Istanbul will be left to face the hazards of collapsing/collapsed buildings alone. At the present time there is no national or international response that can handle such a catastrophic situation. Disaster Management Centres formed by the Municipalities and the State seem to work on the paper but the reality is far less certain. Analysis of recently made statements by officials proves that they will spend the first 72 hours reorganizing their own institutions. This means that members of the effected community will be left almost un-assisted for the first 3-4 days after a major disaster. Supported only with the help of a limited number of independent rescue personel, survivors will have to help themselves.


A small quote from the last paragraph of an article about fire first aid.

The acquisition of emergency professionality by ordinary people is a sign of civil and cultural progress. Thus the man in the street - the potential first rescue worker - must not only be able to receive specific training for emergency situations but, more importantly, be aware that he is in a state of preparedness to offer his aid methodically and effectively.

You can find the original at here

In almost every disaster or incident I operated I had always worked with locals and individuals. I wish they were a little bit trained.

Burak