19
1.4 AIMSï‚· To provide a facility that will improve response to disasters for an initial period after which other sources would assist.ï‚· To reduce confusion on the part of all personnel concern in disasters.ï‚· To enhance the role of rapid deployment of its personnel in response to emergencyï‚· Preventing or reducing the risk of disasters and mitigating the severity or consequences of disastersï‚· A rapid and effective response to disasters and post- disaster recovery and rehabilitation.ï‚· To ensure the survival of the maximum possible number of victims, keeping them in the best possible health in the circumstances.ï‚· To re-establish self-sufficiency and essential services as quickly as possible for all population groups, with special attention to those whoseneeds are greatest: the most vulnerable and underprivileged.ï‚· To repair or replace damaged infrastructure and regenerate viable economic activities. To do this in a manner that contributes to long-termdevelopment goals and reduces vulnerability to any future recurrence of potentially damaging hazards.ï‚· In cases involving population displacements (due to any type of disaster) the aim is to find durable solutions as quickly as possible, whileensuring protection and assistance as necessary in the meantime.20
1.5 OBJECTIVES To create a building for imparting training in disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, relief and rehabilitation and also to undertakeresearch studies, documentation and development of database. Organize state and regional level conferences/workshops in disaster management and related subjects. To develop and encourage NGO’s network in the state to manage disasters in the state. to reduce or avoid the human, physical, and economic losses suffered by individuals, by the society, and by the country at large To reduce personal suffering and to speed recovery.1.10 SCOPE OF PROJECT: This project provides, to a satisfactory level, all the facilities that are needed in the disaster management centre for optimum performanceto manage disaster. There are provisions for effective control, relief and rescue of disasters by mitigating, preparedness, response andrecovery.The scope of the project is limited to the following;  The design of the Administrative building The clinic A staff residential building Hanger for helicopter211.10.1 THE SITE:This project involves the design of a Centre that aids for Disaster Management, thus, due to the amphibiotic nature of its function,the facility would require a site that enhances the marine and land base operation, and hence, it is located within the southern section of PortHarcourt. It can also be accessible through various pedestrian routes emanating from the neighbouring residential zones. This will be dutifullyrespected in the cause of designing.The site is in close proximity to the State secretariat, the Nigerian marine base, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Orobum Vimmage (nowcalled Obunabali). Ogbunabali bound the site on the East, the far North by Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, to the West by the Amadi flat andold GRA Residential Quarters and the South by Marine Base.The exterior element in the site include Parking lots Sign post Main building Clinic Heliport Staff Accommodation Power plant.221.10.2 THE MAIN BUILDING: The sections in the Disaster Management Centre include: Administrative unit Control unit Training unit Maintenance unit The Aviation operation The Marine operation The land operation Finance unit Relief and rehabilitation unit Ware house Conference hall Search and rescues unit.23
 The Administrative unit:This is the first point of call as one gets into the building, this department is responsible for all staff matters, appointments, records ofservice, welfare of officers, employment etc. This section is responsible for personnel functions and employee services, Personnel functionscover tracking staff and disaster deployments, obtaining local hires, arranging billeting, and processing payroll while Employee servicesinclude providing for personnel health and safety, overseeing access to medical services, and ensuring security of personnel, facilities, andassets. Control Unit:This is one of the most important units in the centre, it takes care of all emergency calls and make sure they are transmitted as clearlyand as fast as possible to the squad responsible for that particular disaster. The unit will have communication gadgets such as pager systems,walking talkie, phones, radars, satellites, reception systems global positioning system (G.P.S), to guide the development of a comprehensiveinformation and communication system and establish integrated communication links with all disaster risk management role players.This unit has two major tasks: the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of information about disaster operations tosupport planning and decision making in the field and at the headquarters’ levels; and the coordination of short- and long-term planning in thefield.24
ï‚· The Training unit:This unit will be responsible for the training of the rescue squads and will feature necessary fitness facilities. It is also a unit that aids topromote a culture of risk avoidance among people by capacitating role players through integrated education, training and public awarenessprogrammes informed by scientific research.The department of training develops the curriculum and coordinate the human resources development of the agency in addition tocatering for the training needs of the staff on modern skills which qualify them to be good disaster managers as obtain in other part of theworld.ï‚· The Maintenance Unit:This unit takes care of all repairs and daily/weekly check of all the vehicles used for search and rescue operations. The automobileworkshop, electrical workshop, vulcanizing workshop, tailor workshop, spare parts store etc. are all part of the maintenance department.ï‚· The Aviation Operations:This section takes care of disasters not easily assessable by land; it involves the use of helicopters necessary for rapid response todisasters that occurred in difficult or far terrain.ï‚· The Marine Operations:This unit takes care of offshore disasters such as boat mishap.25ï‚· The Land Operations:This unit will take care of out-breaks and other land accidents where necessary. It will involve provision of parking lots for ambulances;fire fighting vehicles, motor bikes, personnel carries etc.ï‚· The Finance Unit:This section plans, organizes, and directs logistics operations that include control and accountability for supplies and equipment;resource ordering; delivery of supplies, equipment, resource tracking, facility location, setup, space management, building services, generalfacility operations, Transport coordination and fleet management services, and salary of staff.ï‚· The Relief and Rehabilitation Unit:This unit provides leadership to build, sustain, and improve the coordination and delivery of support and relief to citizens and State,local, tribal and territorial governments to save lives, reduce suffering, protect property and recover from all hazards. These units also receivethe materials for relief and properly distribute it to affected people.26
1.6.3 THE CLINIC:Time is a crucial element in Disaster Management. In recognition of this, the agency will have a clinic that will aid in first aid treatmentof victims, and also, there will be ambulances that will convey seriously injured people to bigger hospitals and also convey the dead to themortuary.1.6.4 THE STAFF ACCOMMODATION:Accommodation will be provided for resident staff of the organization and also for resident doctors that will handle the clinic and allmedical affairs.1.7 PROJECT JUSTIFICATIONThe project is located within the southern section of Port Harcourt. The site is in close proximity to the State secretariat, the Nigerianmarine base, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout; Orobum Vimmage (now called Obunabali). Ogbunabali bound the site on the East, the far Northby Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, to the West by the Amadi flat and old GRA Residential Quarters and the South by Marine Base.This site was chosen for the following reasons: It can be assessable through the Eastern bypass road and various pedestrian routes emanating from the neighbouring residential zones No existing facility defined for this purpose within the area. The area is very busy and prone to disasters like accidents. The site can be assessable from land and water.271.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS Disaster: this is an event, natural or man-made, sudden or progressive, which impacts with such severity that the affected community orindividual has to respond by taking exceptional measures. Disaster management: is the systematic observation and analysis of disasters to improve measures relating to prevention, mitigation,preparedness, emergency response and recovery. Disaster management centre: this will serve as a centre for the operational squad and aid for investigation, assistance and relief of peopleaffected with disasters. Risk: is the relative degree of probability that a hazardous event will occur. An active fault zone, for example, would be an area of highrisk. Mitigation: is action taken to reduce both human suffering and property loss resulting from extreme natural phenomena. Measures includeland use planning, improved disaster-resistant building techniques, and better agricultural practices. Preparedness: encompasses those actions taken to limit the impact of natural phenomena by structuring response and establishing amechanism for effecting a quick and orderly reaction. Preparedness activities could include pre-positioning supplies and equipment;developing emergency action plans, manuals, and procedures; developing warning, evacuation, and sheltering plans; strengthening orotherwise protecting critical facilities; etc28 Disaster Prevention: this is action taken to eliminate or avoid harmful natural phenomena and their effects. Examples of preventioninclude cloud seeding to control meteorological patterns, pest control to prevent locust swarms, erection of dams or levees to preventflooding, etc. Intervention: this refers to an action taken in order to change the course of events. In disaster management the term’s use is similar to themedical sense, i.e., disaster response initiated from outside the affected community is a form of intervention and, as such, must be handledwith care because it does come from without. It therefore always runs the risk of being more disruptive than productive. Pre-disaster planning: this is the process of preparing, in advance, to meet a future disaster. Pre-disaster planning consists of disasterprevention, mitigation, and preparedness. Vulnerability: this is a condition wherein human settlements, buildings, agriculture, or human health are exposed to a disaster by virtue oftheir construction or proximity to hazardous terrain. Maintenance: refers to the services that are provided to refugees during the period after the emergency but before a permanent solution totheir plight is developed. Maintenance operations may include tracing and family reunification, general care and food distribution, avariety of social services such as education and cultural activities, and efforts to help the people to become as self-sufficient as possibleunder the circumstances. Evaluation occurs as a refugee operation ends or as a new phase begins. Evaluation should be carried out by every manager and keymembers of the staff. The results and lessons learned should become the basis for further emergency preparedness activities.29 Durable (Permanent) Solution is the term used to describe collectively the three long-term solutions that resolve a refugee situationvoluntary repatriation, assimilation, and resettlement to a third country. In this phase, any number of activities can take place includingtransportation of the refugees, legal assistance, and provision of financial and material aid to the refugees to help them start their new lives.If the solution is repatriation or assimilation, the Patterns of assistance often resemble reconstruction and development assistance given tothe victims of natural disasters. Essential goods and services: this means those products, items, expertise or manufacturers, which are considered of importance or areindispensable when responding to a disaster. Hazard: means threats to life, well-being, material goods or the environment. Head of centre means the person appointed in terms of either section 45 of the Act. Local disaster means a disaster classified as a local disaster in terms of section 23. Primary role means that function for which a specific identified role player is best equipped and qualified to perform. Recovery means decisions and actions taken after a disaster with a view to restoring or improving the pre-disaster living conditions of thestricken community, while encouraging and facilitating necessary adjustments to reduce disaster risk. Relief means the provision of assistance or intervention during or immediately after a disaster in order bring relief to people andcommunities affected by a disaster. Risk reduction means measures taken to reduce long-term risks associated with human activity or natural events.30 Role player means an individual or group in society that can contribute meaningfully to the implementation of disaster management. Secondary role means an additional function that is performed by an identified role player in support of a primary role player. Emergency: “Is a situation generated by the real or imminent occurrence of an event that requires immediate attention†(key words).Paying immediate attention to an event or situation as described above is important as the event/situation can generate negativeconsequences and escalate into an emergency. The purpose of planning is to minimize those consequences. Assistance: to help support affected persons with relief materials and make sure it is properly distributed amongst the people.1.9 RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe research process for this project was tedious as it was interesting. The research methods used in this project is a descriptive researchthat employs survey or observational research method. Typically, the following methods where used for the research: The use of the library Site visits Books and foreign data review Case studies Interview and questionnaires Consultation with my supervisor.