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El terremoto y tsunami de 2010 dejaron a dos millones de personas damnificadas y produjeron p\u00e9rdidas por US $ 30 mil millones, significando el 18% del PI B, seg\u00fan cifras oficiales citadas por la superintendencia de valores y seguros en un informe. cada a\u00f1o entre 1980 y 2011, Chile registr\u00f3, En promedio, p\u00e9rdidas cercanas al 1,2% de su PI B debido a desastres naturales. un adecuado manejo de estas situaciones es clave para el desarrollo de un pa\u00eds que se est\u00e1 poniendo pantalones largos frente a los riesgos que enfrenta, y para lo cual se est\u00e1n realizando acuerdos de cooperaci\u00f3n con pa\u00edses como Estados Unidos.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Por Claudia Mar\u00edn<\/em><\/p>\n El secretario nacional de Bomberos, Ra\u00fal Bustos, se encontraba a cargo del trabajo en la zona de Constituci\u00f3n, tras el terremoto de 2010. M\u00e1s de mil voluntarios llegaron al lugar, uno de los m\u00e1s afectados por el sismo, aunque sin la preparaci\u00f3n adecuada para una situaci\u00f3n de esa envergadura. La ayuda no s\u00f3lo se requer\u00eda ah\u00ed, pero ellos ni siquiera ten\u00edan claridad de a qui\u00e9n deb\u00edan reportarse.<\/p>\n Ese terremoto marc\u00f3 un antes y un despu\u00e9s en la gesti\u00f3n de emergencias. El evento que golpe\u00f3 a la zona centro-sur del pa\u00eds a las 3:34 am del 27 de febrero ha sido uno de los m\u00e1s devastadores para Chile y el sexto m\u00e1s fuerte del mundo, seg\u00fan el Servicio Geol\u00f3gico de Estados Unidos (USGS, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s).<\/p>\n Con una magnitud de 8,8 grados Richter, el movimiento tel\u00farico afect\u00f3 a 233 comunas y 370 mil viviendas, generando dos millones de damnificados. En t\u00e9rminos de costos, fue el quinto m\u00e1s importante en la historia, representando el 18% del PIB de Chile, seg\u00fan el informe \u201cTerremoto 2010\u201d de la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros. El documento dice, adem\u00e1s, que el Gobierno estim\u00f3 las p\u00e9rdidas econ\u00f3micas del terremoto y tsunami en US$ 30 mil millones.<\/p>\n La situaci\u00f3n puso de manifiesto el d\u00e9ficit de una infraestructura adecuada para enfrentar la emergencia y una serie de descoordinaciones entre todos los estamentos involucrados en responder a la cat\u00e1strofe.<\/p>\n Para Bomberos, fue el punto de inflexi\u00f3n para crear un sistema nacional de operaciones que coordinara los grupos de respuestas, moviliz\u00e1ndolos org\u00e1nicamente dentro del pa\u00eds. Lo que m\u00e1s se necesitaba, dice Bustos, era sistematizar los procedimientos.<\/p>\n \u201cNaciones Unidas siempre nos ha dicho que en Chile, quiz\u00e1s por idiosincrasia, no \u00e9ramos muy amigos de tener procedimientos escritos y protocolos. Hoy, al menos Bomberos de Chile los tiene\u201d, acota.<\/p>\n La reformulaci\u00f3n del sistema<\/strong><\/p>\n El pa\u00eds est\u00e1 particularmente expuesto a cat\u00e1strofes por ubicarse sobre el \u201cCintur\u00f3n de Fuego del Pac\u00edfico\u201d, zona sensible a sismos y erupciones volc\u00e1nicas al estar justo sobre la uni\u00f3n de placas tect\u00f3nicas. Su ubicaci\u00f3n costera deja a la mayor parte del territorio a merced de marejadas y tsunamis, al tiempo que debe hacer frente a m\u00e1s de 500 volcanes potencialmente activos.<\/p>\n En promedio, cada a\u00f1o entre 1980 y 2011, Chile registr\u00f3 p\u00e9rdidas cercanas al 1,2% de su PIB debido a desastres naturales, seg\u00fan la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para la Reducci\u00f3n del Riesgo de Desastres (UNISDR).<\/p>\n Por tanto, la preparaci\u00f3n para enfrentar situaciones adversas es clave. Por sus caracter\u00edsticas, Chile responde a las emergencias con la infraestructura del Estado \u2013municipios, gobernaciones, intendencias, Ministerio del Interior\u2013 y con las capacidades que organismos p\u00fablicos y privados aportan al Sistema Nacional de Protecci\u00f3n Civil (SNPC), cuyos organismos t\u00e9cnicos monitorean las amenazas para activar el sistema de alertas, junto a la Oficina Nacional de Emergencias (Onemi).<\/p>\n Esta \u00faltima tiene el papel de coordinar, planificar y ejecuta acciones preventivas, de alerta, respuesta y rehabilitaci\u00f3n. A trav\u00e9s de sus Sistemas de Comandos de Incidentes (SCI), tambi\u00e9n participan instituciones especializadas y otras que aportan capacidades en distintas instancias, como las Fuerzas Armadas.<\/p>\n Un sistema que, seg\u00fan el director del Centro Nacional de Investigaci\u00f3n para la Gesti\u00f3n Integrada de Desastres Naturales (CIGIDEN), Rodrigo Cienfuegos, no fue suficiente para enfrentar el terremoto y tsunami de 2010.<\/p>\n En 2011, el gobierno de Sebasti\u00e1n Pi\u00f1era present\u00f3 la modernizaci\u00f3n de la Onemi, estableciendo el Sistema Nacional de Emergencias y Protecci\u00f3n Civil y la Agencia Nacional de Protecci\u00f3n Civil. En 2013, la iniciativa alcanz\u00f3 a llegar a segundo tr\u00e1mite en el Senado, pero en 2014 la presidenta Michelle Bachelet present\u00f3 una indicaci\u00f3n sustitutiva.<\/p>\n Se anunci\u00f3 entonces la creaci\u00f3n del Sistema Nacional de Gesti\u00f3n de Riesgos y Emergencias y el nuevo Servicio Nacional de Gesti\u00f3n de Riesgos y Emergencias, con el fin de actualizar la institucionalidad. El proyecto se encuentra todav\u00eda en el Congreso.<\/p>\n Los avances<\/strong><\/p>\n La Onemi reconoce que el 27F puso de manifiesto falencias operativas y preventivas. Pero destaca que, a partir de ah\u00ed, se ha materializado un desarrollo integral de la instituci\u00f3n y del sistema de Protecci\u00f3n Civil. Aspecto que, seg\u00fan la autoridad, qued\u00f3 demostrado con los terremotos de Iquique en 2014 (8,2\u00b0 Richter), Coquimbo en 2015 (8,4\u00b0 Richter) y Chilo\u00e9 el a\u00f1o pasado (7,6\u00b0 Richter).<\/p>\n \u201cLa inversi\u00f3n de Chile en infraestructura resiliente, sistemas de alerta temprana y planificaci\u00f3n urbana ha asegurado que las muertes hayan sido bajas en esta ocasi\u00f3n, a pesar de la intensidad del terremoto\u201d, se\u00f1al\u00f3 luego del evento de Coquimbo, Margareta Wahlstr\u00f6m, entonces jefa de la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para la Reducci\u00f3n del Riesgo de Desastres (UNISDR).<\/p>\n El cambio clim\u00e1tico y la mayor exposici\u00f3n a zonas vulnerables \u201cobligan a considerar escenarios m\u00e1s complejos. Frente a esto se requiere un marco legal vinculante y transversal que permita emplear integradamente las capacidades\u201d, dice el director nacional de la Onemi, Ricardo Toro.<\/p>\n Un organismo de emergencias, con mayores atribuciones y capacidades de gesti\u00f3n, debe conjugarse con la aplicaci\u00f3n obligatoria de una planificaci\u00f3n que integre todos los niveles, todo bajo una visi\u00f3n de Estado, explica Toro. Junto con ello, una ley que defina estos aspectos, determine las funciones de los comit\u00e9s e integrantes del SNPC e incorpore instrumentos de gesti\u00f3n y fondos presupuestarios.<\/p>\n Mientras tanto, la entidad ha trabajado en superar las falencias. Por ejemplo, las direcciones regionales creadas en 2008 comenzaron a operar en 2010 con seis funcionarios 24\/7; hoy, cada una tiene 15 o m\u00e1s personas y Centros de Alerta Temprana (CAT) conectados al nivel central (CAT Nacional) y sus respectivos Sistemas Regionales de Protecci\u00f3n Civil.<\/p>\n Se han establecido sistemas de comunicaci\u00f3n redundantes \u2013Red Satelital de Emergencia y Red Nacional de Telecomunicaciones HF\u2013 y veh\u00edculos con radios satelitales.<\/p>\n Se han generado protocolos claros, procedimientos estandarizados, pruebas de telecomunicaciones y simulaciones. Se implement\u00f3 el Visor de Gesti\u00f3n de Riesgo de Desastres (GRD), un sistema que identifica las zonas de riesgo y m\u00e1s de 40 mil datos de infraestructura cr\u00edtica que puede ser afectada, junto con un Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia a trav\u00e9s de telefon\u00eda celular (SAE) y sirenas en el borde costero para evacuaciones en caso de tsunami en las regiones de Arica y Parinacota, Tarapac\u00e1, Antofagasta, O\u2019Higgins y Maule.<\/p>\n Mayor colaboraci\u00f3n<\/strong><\/p>\n Las experiencias internacionales han sido un sustrato importante en la redefinici\u00f3n de la institucionalidad. Jap\u00f3n, por ejemplo, es un referente en estas materias. Su sistema tiene un alto componente de prevenci\u00f3n y cultura c\u00edvica, con ciudadanos que tienen un rol activo en la superaci\u00f3n de emergencias.<\/p>\n Estados Unidos tambi\u00e9n ha sido parte del crecimiento de Chile en esta etapa. Especialmente California, que tambi\u00e9n sabe de desastres naturales: tras cinco a\u00f1os de sequ\u00eda, en 2016 fue afectado por inundaciones que dejaron cuantiosos da\u00f1os y, hace s\u00f3lo unas semanas, sufri\u00f3 incendios forestales que obligaron a desalojar a m\u00e1s de 100 mil personas.<\/p>\n Y fue justamente el incendio que afect\u00f3 a 620 hect\u00e1reas de Oakland en 1991, lo que motiv\u00f3 a crear un sistema organizado de respuesta a emergencias de m\u00faltiples niveles, capaz de estructurar el flujo de informaci\u00f3n y recursos.<\/p>\n \u201cEl estado de California es considerado l\u00edder en la gesti\u00f3n de emergencias. Al tener tantos desastres aprendemos c\u00f3mo manejar, c\u00f3mo prepararnos, c\u00f3mo entrenar y c\u00f3mo recuperar esos desastres. El sistema que usamos, tanto en California como a nivel nacional, se llama Standardized Emergency Management System\u201d, explica la directora asistente de Relaciones Internacionales de la Oficina de Servicios de Emergencia del Gobernador de California (Cal OES), Helen L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n Todas las agencias trabajan en este sistema unificado, que prioriza las necesidades y que coordina toda la respuesta y la informaci\u00f3n a los recursos. L\u00f3pez a\u00f1ade que fue adoptado por el gobierno federal y que para que \u00e9ste aporte fondos a los estamentos locales y estatales, se requiere utilizarlo.<\/p>\n \u201cMuchas delegaciones vienen a aprender a California, pues muchos pa\u00edses lo quieren incorporar\u201d, agrega.<\/p>\n Chile es uno de ellos. En 2011, una delegaci\u00f3n de 24 representantes de Onemi, Carabineros y Conaf, entre otros, visit\u00f3 California y desde entonces se ha intensificado la relaci\u00f3n y el trabajo en preparaci\u00f3n, entrenamiento y en el intercambio de mejores pr\u00e1cticas.<\/p>\n En esa l\u00ednea, en 2016 se firm\u00f3 un acuerdo de entendimiento con la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos (FEMA, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s), para potenciar la reducci\u00f3n de riesgo de desastres y promover la resiliencia en ambos pa\u00edses. Para ello, el director de Cal OES, Mark Ghilarducci, el director de Cal Fire, Ken Pimlott, y otras autoridades viajaron a Chile y conocieron la realidad del trabajo que se est\u00e1 desarrollando.<\/p>\n Pimloff tambi\u00e9n firm\u00f3 un convenio de colaboraci\u00f3n con Conaf para profundizar las medidas de prevenci\u00f3n y gesti\u00f3n de riesgo de incendios forestales.<\/p>\n La respuesta del sector privado <\/strong><\/p>\n La interrupci\u00f3n de los servicios b\u00e1sicos a la poblaci\u00f3n es otra de las aristas a enfrentar. Y fue tambi\u00e9n otro de los temas que este a\u00f1o gener\u00f3 un arduo debate en la opini\u00f3n p\u00fablica, particularmente los cortes de luz y agua que Santiago y otras ciudades del pa\u00eds enfrentaron por deslizamientos de tierra o sistemas frontales.<\/p>\n Las interrupciones se prolongaron por varios d\u00edas en algunos sectores, poniendo en entredicho la capacidad de resiliencia de las empresas proveedoras. Los entendidos relacionan tales situaciones al calentamiento global, y sin duda es algo que est\u00e1 suponiendo un reto para las compa\u00f1\u00edas de servicio p\u00fablico.<\/p>\n Por ejemplo, los eventos de este a\u00f1o evidencian la necesidad de definir cu\u00e1l es la red el\u00e9ctrica que Chile quiere para el futuro, cu\u00e1l es el est\u00e1ndar que la regulaci\u00f3n debe adoptar para enfrentar situaciones de excepcionalidad y qu\u00e9 se necesita para que eso pueda cumplirse, plantea el gerente general de la Asociaci\u00f3n de Empresas El\u00e9ctricas, Rodrigo Castillo.<\/p>\n En esa l\u00ednea, las firmas del sector est\u00e1n adaptando y mejorando sus procesos, intensificado los planes permanentes de poda para despejar las zonas de vegetaci\u00f3n cercanas a las l\u00edneas el\u00e9ctricas, incorporando tecnolog\u00edas \u2013como drones\u2013, nuevos equipos de protecci\u00f3n o l\u00edneas recubiertas, entre otras.<\/p>\n En la Asociaci\u00f3n Nacional de Servicios Sanitarios (Andess) destacan que en general esta \u00e1rea responde bien a las contingencias, resaltando que luego de 72 horas del terremoto de 2010, el 87,5% del suministro estaba repuesto y a cinco d\u00edas, el 90%.<\/p>\n El presidente ejecutivo de Andess, V\u00edctor Galilea, resalta que el sector sanitario en su conjunto invirti\u00f3 US$ 537 millones en 2016 \u201317% m\u00e1s que en 2015\u2013 y que m\u00e1s de la mitad de esa cifra se destin\u00f3 a asegurar la producci\u00f3n de agua potable, tanto en construcci\u00f3n y mantenci\u00f3n de infraestructura como en b\u00fasqueda de nuevas fuentes de agua.<\/p>\n En este rubro, Aguas Andinas se incorpor\u00f3 al Sistema Nacional de Protecci\u00f3n Civil y ha trabajado con las autoridades en la creaci\u00f3n de una cultura de prevenci\u00f3n. Participa tambi\u00e9n en el Servicio de Gesti\u00f3n de Crisis y Resiliencia de las Organizaciones (SeCRO).<\/p>\n En el sector energ\u00e9tico, la Empresa Nacional de Energ\u00eda (ENEX) cuenta con un modelo de gesti\u00f3n de Seguridad, Salud Ocupacional y Medio Ambiente (SSMA) que considera preparaci\u00f3n para operar bajo estos riesgos. Esto obliga a la firma a revisar y comprobar sus planes de emergencia y contingencia para asegurar que su efectividad y control sean los establecidos.<\/p>\n Simulacros, incorporaci\u00f3n de tecnolog\u00eda y capacitaci\u00f3n de sus colaboradores son algunas de las acciones de la empresa con este objetivo.<\/p>\n Con todo, y aunque quedan temas pendientes en materia de legislaci\u00f3n e institucionalidad, el pa\u00eds parece estar avanzando hacia un modelo m\u00e1s sostenible de gesti\u00f3n de emergencias, sobre todo al considerar el impacto humano, social y econ\u00f3mico en torno a ellas.<\/p>\n La prueba, sin embargo, tal como ha ocurrido a lo largo de la historia, no tiene fecha confirmada.<\/p>\n Avances de la colaboraci\u00f3n<\/strong><\/p>\n uego de varios acuerdos firmados entre Chile y una serie de organismos de EE.UU. especializados en emergencias, el subdirector de Planning y Preparaci\u00f3n de Onemi visit\u00f3 California para intercambiar ideas y aprender sobre el programa de tsunamis y sismos, y sobre el programa de voluntarios de Cal OES, comenta Helen L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n Asimismo, en septiembre pasado, con el apoyo del Consejo Chile-California y del c\u00f3nsul general, representantes de Conaf estuvieron con sus contrapartes de Cal Fire para capacitarse en sobrevuelo nocturno, detecci\u00f3n de incendios y en c\u00f3mo responder a ciertos tipos de incendios, entre otros temas.<\/p>\n Y en octubre, un equipo de dos instructores viaj\u00f3 a Chile para trabajar con la Onemi y certificar a un grupo de casi 40 personas en el programa de Equipos Comunitarios de Respuesta ante Emergencias (CERT, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s), que busca instruir a la comunidad para enfrentar las primeras horas de una emergencia. \u201cVemos muy bien el liderazgo de la Onemi, que est\u00e1 haciendo todo lo posible por llevar la t\u00e9cnica y la experiencia de California a Chile\u201d, acota L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n Bomberos de clase mundial<\/strong><\/p>\n Uno de los primeros organismos que atienden emergencias es Bomberos. Y tras las falencias del sistema completo en 2010, hubo una decisi\u00f3n estrat\u00e9gica de fortalecer sus procedimientos y especializar sus equipos.<\/p>\n Tras siete a\u00f1os de preparaci\u00f3n, a mediados de noviembre el equipo USAR Bomberos de Chile fue evaluado y certificado por el Grupo Asesor Internacional de Operaciones de B\u00fasqueda y Rescate (Insarag) de las Naciones Unidas, lo que lo convierte en el primer grupo latinoamericano calificado internacionalmente para este tipo de acciones, acredit\u00e1ndolo para prestar apoyo al extranjero frente a desastres naturales y otras emergencias. Estados Unidos es el otro pa\u00eds con equipos de esta categor\u00eda.<\/p>\n El aporte de la investigaci\u00f3n<\/strong><\/p>\n Hasta el 27F, el foco acad\u00e9mico hab\u00eda estado en el tema sismol\u00f3gico y en las \u00e1reas vinculadas a la geof\u00edsica, que realizaron aportes importantes para el desarrollo de normas de construcci\u00f3n, explica Rodrigo Cienfuegos, de CIGIDEN, entidad que integra a las universidades Cat\u00f3lica de Chile, Andr\u00e9s Bello, Federico Santa Mar\u00eda y Cat\u00f3lica del Norte.<\/p>\n El terremoto, a\u00f1ade, hizo reaccionar a los planteles de educaci\u00f3n superior y a Conicyt para comenzar a destinar recursos espec\u00edficos para la investigaci\u00f3n interdisciplinaria en t\u00f3picos como cambio clim\u00e1tico y desastres, incluyendo tambi\u00e9n a las ciencias sociales. Las investigaciones apuntan a la determinaci\u00f3n de amenazas hasta la salud mental de los equipos de emergencia.[:en] The 2010 Chilean earthquake and tsunami gravely affected two million people and generated losses of US$30 billion, approximately 18% of national GDP, according to official figures from the country\u2019s financial regulatory authority<\/strong>. In fact, between 1980 and 2011, Chile registered average annual losses of around 1.2% of GDP as a result of natural disasters. While adequate emergency management is a critical factor for all nations, this holds particularly true for a country seeking to mitigate the serious and ongoing risks posed by Mother Nature. In the case of Chile, this approach also includes entering into cooperation agreements with other nations, including the United States. <\/strong><\/p>\n By Claudia Mar\u00edn<\/em><\/p>\n The Secretario Nacional de Bomberos (National Secretary of Firefighters), Ra\u00fal Bustos, was in charge of the coordination work undertaken in the area around Constitucion following the 2010 earthquake. Despite the subsequent arrival of over a thousand volunteers to the region, which was one of the most severely affected by the earthquake, the area was inadequately prepared to confront a situation of such magnitude. As a result, it was not only emergency assistance that was required, but also clarity regarding the chain of command.<\/p>\n The earthquake marked a before and after in terms of emergency management in Chile. The seismic event that shook the central-south of the country at 3:34am on 27 February 2010 was one of the most devastating to strike Chile and, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the sixth largest in history.<\/p>\n With a magnitude of 8.8, the earthquake (known locally as 27F) struck 233 municipalities and 370,000 homes, gravely affecting 2 million people. In financial terms, in was the fifth most expensive in history, representing 18% of Chilean GDP, according to the report \u2018Terremoto 2010\u2019 (\u20182010 Earthquake\u2019) compiled by the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (Superintendence of Securities and Insurance). The same report highlights government estimates of the economic impact of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami at around US$30 billion.<\/p>\n The situation revealed the lack of adequate infrastructure for confronting a disaster on this scale, as well as a severe lack of coordination among the key authorities involved in the emergency response.<\/p>\n For firefighters, it was the turning point and highlighted the need to create a national operations system to coordinate a streamlined movement of response teams across the country. What was most needed, says Bustos, was the systemization of procedures.<\/p>\n \u201cThe United Nations has always said that in Chile, maybe due to national idiosyncrasies, people are not fans of written procedures and protocols. Today, at least, the Chilean Fire Service is\u201d, he adds.<\/p>\n Reforming the system<\/strong><\/p>\n Chile is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that sits directly above the meeting point of tectonic plates. Its extensive coastline means the majority of the country is at the mercy of tsunamis and other tidal waves, and it also has to contend with over 500 potentially active volcanoes.<\/p>\n Largely as a consequence of its precarious geographical location, between 1980 and 2011, Chile registered average annual losses of around 1.2% of GDP due to natural disasters, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).<\/p>\n This statistics reveals how preparation is a key element in overcoming adversity. Due to its administrative characteristics, Chile responds to emergencies through State infrastructure, such as municipal, provincial and regional authorities, as well as the Ministerio del Interior (Ministry of the Interior). The country relies on public and private entities to support the Sistema Nacional de Protecci\u00f3n Civil (National Civil Protection System), or SNPC by its Spanish acronym, whose technical organizations monitor threats and activate alert systems, in conjunction with the Oficina Nacional de Emergencias (Office of National Emergencies), or Onemi.<\/p>\n In turn, Onemi is responsible for coordinating, planning and executing preventative action, alerts, responses and immediate reconstruction efforts. Through the Sistemas de Comandos de Incidentes (Incident Command Systems), or SCI, specialized institutions also participate in these processes, while certain entities, such as the military, contribute their expertise across a range of situations.<\/p>\n According to Rodrigo Cienfuegos, Director of the Centro Nacional de Investigaci\u00f3n para la Gesti\u00f3n Integrada de Desastres Naturales (National Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management), or CIGIDEN, this system was insufficient for coping with the situation arising from the 2010 earthquake and tsunami.<\/p>\n In response, in 2011 the government of Sebasti\u00e1n Pi\u00f1era took steps to modernize Onemi by submitting a bill to Congress that sought to establish the Sistema Nacional de Emergencias y Protecci\u00f3n Civil (National Emergencies and Civil Protection System) as well as the Agencia Nacional de Protecci\u00f3n Civil (National Civil Protection Agency). In 2013, the bill was subject to discussion in the Senate, but in 2014 President Michelle Bachelet introduced a substitution clause which resulted in the bill undergoing a thorough review.<\/p>\n This resulted in a revised bill that now seeks to create the Sistema Nacional de Gesti\u00f3n de Riesgos y Emergencias (National Risk and Emergencies Management System), along with its implementation mechanism, the Servicio Nacional de Gesti\u00f3n de Riesgos y Emergencias (National Risk and Emergencies Management System). This bill is currently under discussion in Congress.<\/p>\n Progress<\/strong><\/p>\n Onemi recognizes that 27F revealed distinct operational and preventative shortcomings in the national emergency response system. Nevertheless, the organization stresses how it has learned the appropriate lessons and that this has led to the creation of a comprehensive civil protection system with strong institutions. This was demonstrated by Onemi\u2019s response to the large earthquakes that affected the localities of Iquique in 2014 (8.2 magnitude), Coquimbo in 2015 (8.4 magnitude) and Chiloe in 2016 (7.6 magnitude).<\/p>\n In response to the 2015 Coquimbo earthquake, then-head of UNISDR, Margareta Wahlstr\u00f6m, noted that \u201cOn this occasion, Chilean investment in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems and urban planning has led to fewer fatalities, despite the sizeable magnitude of the quake\u201d.<\/p>\n With this in mind, Ricardo Toro, National Director of Onemi, explains that climate change and the increasing vulnerability of different regions to the full force of nature \u201cobliges us to consider more complex scenarios. In turn, this requires the creation of a legally binding and cross-cutting framework that facilitates the deployment of integrated expertise\u201d.<\/p>\n In the long term, an emergency agency, with improved powers and management capabilities, must be combined with the mandatory application of planning that incorporates all levels under a common government vision, says Toro. Furthermore, a law to define these aspects as well as to establish the responsibilities of SNPC committees and members, and the incorporation of management instruments and budgetary funds are also required.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Onemi has taken steps to overcome the prevailing shortcomings. For example, regional management offices were created in 2008 and began to operate in 2010 with six staff working 24 hours a day. Today, each center has a personnel of 15 and includes Centros de Alerta Temprana (Early Warning Centers), or CATs, that are connected centrally to the CAT Nacional (National CAT) and their respective Sistemas Regionales de Protecci\u00f3n Civil (Regional Civil Protection Systems).<\/p>\n In addition, standby communication systems have been established, including the Red Satelital de Emergencia (Emergency Satellite Network) and the Red Nacional de Telecomunicaciones HF (National High Frequency Telecommunications Network), as well as a fleet of vehicles equipped with radio satellites.<\/p>\n Clear protocols, standardized procedures, telecommunication tests and simulations have all been developed and implemented as a result. The Visor de Gesti\u00f3n de Riesgo de Desastres (Disasters Risk Management Viewer), or GRD, has also been launched as a platform to identify areas at risk. It includes over 40,000 data entries related to critical infrastructure that could be affected by an emergency. There is also a new Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia (Emergency Alert System), or SAE, in which tsunami alerts are broadcast via cellular phones and coastal sirens in the Regions of Arica and Parinacota, Tarapaca, Antofagasta, O\u2019Higgins and Maule.<\/p>\n Greater collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n International experience has been an important underlying factor in redefining public institutions in this context. Japan, for example, is a noteworthy reference point due to the prioritization of prevention and civic culture within that country\u2019s national emergency system. Its approach means that the general public is encouraged to play an active role in overcoming disaster situations.<\/p>\n The United States has also contributed to the development of Chile\u2019s emergency response capabilities. California in particular has been prominent due to its own experience of natural disasters. For example, in 2016, after five years of severe drought, the state was hit by flooding that caused large-scale damage. That was followed by a spate of serious forest fires in 2017, the most recent of which in December precipitated the evacuation of 100,000 people from their homes.<\/p>\n In fact, it was precisely another fire, one that affected 620 hectares near Oakland in 1991, that motivated the state to create an organized, multi-level emergency response system, capable of providing a structure to the flow of information and resources.<\/p>\n \u201cThe state of California is considered a leader in emergency management\u201d says Helen L\u00f3pez, Assistant Director of International Affairs at California\u2019s Governor Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). \u201cHaving experienced so many natural disasters, we have learned to manage, prepare, train for and overcome these types of situation. The system we use in California and across the United States generally is the Standardized Emergency Management System\u201d, she adds.<\/p>\n Under this system, all relevant agencies work together within a single mechanism that prioritizes needs and directs all responses and information to the relevant stakeholders. L\u00f3pez explains that this system was adopted by the federal government and that in order for Washington DC to contribute funds to the local and state levels, the use of this system has become necessary.<\/p>\n L\u00f3pez explains that as a result of this sophisticated approach to emergency management, \u201ca large number of delegations come to California to learn, since many countries want to adopt the system for themselves\u201d.<\/p>\n Chile is one of these. In 2011, a delegation of 24 representatives from Onemi, the Carabineros (the national police force) and Conaf (the national forest corporation), among others, traveled to California. Since then, the relationship and work in preparation, training and exchange of best practices between Chile and California has flourished.<\/p>\n As such, in 2016 a memorandum of understanding was signed with the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to strengthen risk reduction related to disasters and to promote resilience in both countries. Towards that end, the Director of Cal OES, Mark Ghilarducci, in conjunction with the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Ken Pimlott, as well as other authorities traveled to Chile to learn about the local work being undertaken. Pimlott also signed a collaboration agreement with Conaf to reinforce prevention and risk management in forest fires.<\/p>\n Private sector response<\/strong><\/p>\n The interruption of basic services is another issue that must be confronted following an emergency. Indeed, this issue was one of the topics of intense public debate in Chile in 2017, particularly following the electricity blackouts and water cuts that affected Santiago and other cities as a result of landslides and severe storms.<\/p>\n The interruptions continued for a number of days in certain areas, placing the preparedness of the utility companies involved in doubt. Experts put these natural phenomena down to global warming and undoubtedly this is something that is posing a challenge to public service companies in general.<\/p>\n For example, the General Manager of the Asociaci\u00f3n de Empresas El\u00e9ctricas (Association of Electricity Companies), Rodrigo Castillo, argues that the events of 2017 demonstrate the need to define certain key aspects. These include the type of electricity network that Chile wants to construct moving forward, the regulatory standards that are required to confront emergency situations, and how these steps can be fulfilled.<\/p>\n Accordingly, companies from this sector are adapting and improving their processes through a range of initiatives, including intensifying permanent plans for clearing vegetation located near to electricity transmission lines; incorporating new technologies, such as drones, into their operations; utilizing new protective equipment for energy infrastructure; and incorporating the coating of lines, among other measures.<\/p>\n The Asociaci\u00f3n Nacional de Servicios Sanitarios (National Association of Santitary Services), or Andess, stresses that its industry generally responds well to contingencies. For example, three days after the 2010 earthquake, 87.5% of the water supply had been restored, rising to 90% after five days.<\/p>\n Executive President of Andess, V\u00edctor Galilea, underlines that the sanitary sector as a whole invested US$537 million in 2016, which is 17% more than in 2015. Half of this figure, he stresses, was earmarked to ensure the production of drinking water and the construction and maintenance, as well as the search for, new water sources.<\/p>\n Also in this industry, Aguas Andinas has joined the SNPC and is working with the authorities to forge a culture of prevention. The company also participates in the Servicio de Gesti\u00f3n de Crisis y Resiliencia de las Organizaciones (Crisis Management and Organizational Resilience Service), or SeCRO.<\/p>\n In the power sector, the Chilean energy company Empresa Nacional de Energ\u00eda (ENEX) works with an Occupational Health and Safety and Environment management model that factors in preparedness in order to be able to operate under risk scenarios. This obliges the company to review and check its emergency and contingency planning in order to guarantee that its effectiveness and controls conform to the established standards.<\/p>\n Simulations, adoption of new technology and staff training are just some of the actions undertaken by the company in this regard.<\/p>\n Generally, despite pending tasks in terms of legislation and institutional framework, Chile appears to be progressing towards a more sustainable emergency management model, especially with regard to the consideration of the associated human, social and economic impacts of natural catastrophes.<\/p>\n Steps towards collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n Following the signing of distinct agreements between Chile and a range of US institutions that specialize in emergencies, Helen L\u00f3pez explains that the Deputy Director of Planning and Preparation of Onemi has visited California as part of a knowledge exchange. During his\/her visit, the Deputy Director was able to learn about the tsunami and earthquake program as well as Cal OES\u2019 volunteer scheme.<\/p>\n Similarly, with the support of the Chile California Council and the Consul General, representatives of Conaf met their counterparts from CAL FIRE in September 2017 to conduct night overflight training, fire detection techniques, and responses to certain types of fires, among other aspects.<\/p>\n In October 2017, a team of two instructors traveled to Chile to work with Conaf and certify a group of around 40 people in the Community Emergency Response Team program, which instructs communities on how to respond in the first few hours of an emergency. \u201cWe see excellent leadership from Onemi, who are doing everything in their power to transfer the techniques and experience from California to Chile\u201d, says L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n Word-class firefighters<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the first actors to respond to any emergency is the fire service. Accordingly, following the shortcomings that were made evident throughout the system in 2010, a strategic decision was taken to strengthen the fire service\u2019s procedures and to ensure it operated with specialized teams.<\/p>\n After seven years of preparation, in mid-November 2017 the Grupo Urban Search and Rescue Bomberos de Chile team was evaluated and certified by the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). In so doing, it became the first Latin American team to receive an international qualification for this work of this type. The accreditation means the team is now qualified to provide assistance internationally following natural disasters and other emergencies. The United States is the other country with certified teams in this category.<\/p>\n Research contribution<\/strong><\/p>\n Until 27F, academic focus into seismology had concentrated on areas related to geophysics. This led to significant contributions to the development of construction standards, says Rodrigo Cienfuegos, from CIGIDEN, an entity that constitutes the Pontificia Universidad Cat\u00f3lica de Chile, Universidad Andr\u00e9s Bello, Universidad T\u00e9cnica Federico Santa Mar\u00eda and Universidad Cat\u00f3lica del Norte.<\/p>\n Cienfuegos adds that the 2010 earthquake provoked a reaction from higher education institutions and Conicyt, the Chilean government’s student funding body, to begin allocating resources specifically towards interdisciplinary research on topics such as climate change and natural disasters, as well as the social sciences. One of the objectives of this research is to facilitate the determination of threats to the mental health of emergency response teams.[:]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [:es] El terremoto y tsunami de 2010 dejaron a dos millones de personas damnificadas y produjeron p\u00e9rdidas por US $ 30 mil millones, significando el 18% del PI B, seg\u00fan cifras oficiales citadas por la superintendencia de valores y seguros en un informe. cada a\u00f1o entre 1980 y 2011, Chile registr\u00f3, En promedio, p\u00e9rdidas cercanas […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","news_tax":[],"user_type":[],"class_list":["post-10326","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/amchamchile.cl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Emergencia_2-1024x673.jpg\")
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