The Role of Civil Engineers as First Responders in Disaster Management

Abstract

In case of a disaster, regardless whether it is natural, manmade or accidental, the built infrastructure is often affected. In such a case first responder organizations like fire fighters, technical relief, Red Cross, and others are usually overstrained with the reconnaissance and assessment of the damaged built infrastructure. Therefore they ask for experts to become member of the first responder team. Information is needed in order to organize escape routes, supply routes, evacuation, to assess rubble piles, instable slopes, settlements of bridges, to avoid collapse of structures and so on. The paper approaches the task by examples where the author has been involved. This includes heavy snow fall, flood, earthquake, peace mission after war, etc. As a consequence of the experience future research and development will be defined.