The Continuing Challenges of Disaster Response in Japan: Expert Available

Newswise — According to Andrew Rucks, Ph.D., associate professor of public health at UAB and investigator in the South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness at UAB and Tulane, Japan is dealing with not one but three large-scale events, all in the response phase of the incidents. Each of the disasters -- the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor leak -- is of sufficient enough scale to pose significant incident-response challenges on their own, but together they are likely outstrip response abilities. “The media focus has been on the nuclear reactors and associated radiation concerns; however, this disaster affects a much smaller geographical area than the earthquake and tsunami disasters. Response management and coordination are tremendous issues for the government.” Rucks says Japan has a well-established search and rescue community including 'The Special Rescue Team' of the Japan Coast Guard. However, the scope of the disaster will likely overwhelm local resources. “And, since electricity production and transmission have been reduced, many businesses and critical infrastructure elements, e.g., airports, ports, public transit, face many planning contingencies dealing with operations.”