Disaster Response to the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake: National Coordination,a Common Operational Picture,and Command and Control in Local Governments

Abstract

The author was a participant-observer in the Iwata Prefecture's Emergency Operations Center during the response to the Tohoku-oki earthquake and tsunami. He provides his observations, analysis, and recommendations for the response phase, with an emphasis on command and control and information management. Issues addressed include (1) national coordination, (2) multiple hazard operations, and (3) coordinated relief operations.