Citation

Hosseini KA, Jafari MK, Hosseini M, Mansouri B, Hosseinioon S. Disasters 2009; 33(4): 645-664.

Affiliation

International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Iran.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-7717.2008.01092.x

PMID

19500324

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research carried out to improve emergency response activities in earthquake-prone areas of Iran. The research concentrated on emergency response operations, emergency medical care, emergency transportation, and evacuation-the most important issues after an earthquake with regard to saving the lives of victims. For each topic, some guidelines and criteria are presented for enhancing emergency response activities, based on evaluations of experience of strong earthquakes that have occurred over the past two decades in Iran, notably Manjil (1990), Bam (2003), Firouz Abad-Kojour (2004), Zarand (2005) and Broujerd (2006). These guidelines and criteria are applicable to other national contexts, especially countries with similar seismic and social conditions as Iran. The results of this study should be incorporated into comprehensive plans to ensure sustainable development or reconstruction of cities as well as to augment the efficiency of emergency response after an earthquake.

Language: en