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• Volcanic hazard


  Observable facts arising due to volcanic activity such as eruption, with potential threat and foreseeable crisis that directly affect humans, animals, properties, infrastructure, tourism, and political stability
• Most active volcanoes in the Philippines


  • Mayon
  • Taal
  • Kanlaon
  • Bulusan
  • Smith
  • Hibok-hibok
  • Pinatubo
  • Musuan
  • Mount Isarog
• Volcanic eruption


  • One of the dangerous events that may happen, resulting in different hazards
• Various volcanic-related hazards


  • Ballistic projectile
  • Ash fall or Tephra fall
  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic gases
  • Debris avalanche or volcanic landslide
• Ballistic projectile


  Rock fragments ejected from volcano's mouth, comparable to cannonballs, reaching up to 5km
• Negative effects of ballistic projectiles


  • Force of impact of falling fragments (close to eruption)
  • Loss of agricultural lands if burial greater than 10cm
  • Suspensions of fine-grained particles in air and water clogging filters, vents, lungs, machines
  • Carrying of noxious gases, acids, salts, and heat (close to vent)
• Ash fall or Tephra fall


  Minute volcanic particles such as pulverized rock, minerals and silicon with fine to coarse grain
• Negative effects of ash fall or tephra fall


  • Endanger life and property
  • Kill organisms on land and in water
  • Cause respiratory tract problems
  • Ruin machines and aircraft
  • Damage roofing, power and communication lines
• March is one of the hottest months of the year in the Philippines. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, this is also the time when the highest number of fire incidents are reported.
• Fire brings about the destruction of buildings and the loss of livelihood and lives. It mainly occurs because of negligence and lack of awareness of the different fire hazards.
• Pyroclastic flows


  Highly-density mix of hot lava blocks, pumice, ash and volcanic gases, moving at very high speed down volcanic slopes, consisting of a lower basal flow and a turbulent ash cloud
• The month of March is declared as the Fire Prevention Month in the country. During this month the campaign for fire prevention is intensified.
• Negative effects of pyroclastic flows


  • Destroy anything on its path by direct impact
  • Burn sites with hot rock debris
  • Burn forests, farmlands, crops and buildings
• Fire


  The rapid oxidation of a flammable material accompanied by the production of light and heat
• Lava flows


  Streams of molten rocks poured or oozed from an erupting vent
• Common Fire Hazards


  • All types of flames used for any work
  • Electric wires, higher loads, loose connections and old electrical equipment
  • All cooking and heat generating appliances
  • All works and situations where fire is essential such as welding, cutting etc.
  • Fireworks
  • Improper and authorized storage of flammable and hazardous materials and chemicals especially the flammable gas
  • Insufficient capacity and numbers of emergency exit and stairs
  • Insufficient numbers and types of fire extinguishers
  • Absent of fire detection and alarm systems
• Hydrometeorological hazards


  Are processes which involve the interaction of the atmosphere, bodies of water and land and which pose threats to lives and human property
• Negative effects of lava flows


  • Instigate other hazards like pyroclastic flows
  • Damage properties, agricultural lands, and human lives by burying and burning
• Elements of Fire


  • A fire starts when fuel is heated from an external source and reaches its ignition temperature. Oxygen reacts with the fuel to sustain the fire. Once fire has started, it will continue to burn until an element of the fire triangle is removed
• Tropical Cyclone


  Low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters. They typically form when the sea-surface temperature is above 26.5°C
• Top Causes of Fire


  • Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries
  • Smoking
  • Heating equipment is the second most common cause of home fire fatalities
• Volcanic gases


  Gases dissolved in magma that provide the driving force for most volcanic eruptions, released as magma rises and pressure decreases
• Names for tropical cyclones in different regions


  • Hurricanes (North Atlantic, Eastern North Pacific, South Pacific Ocean)
  • Cyclonic (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Western South Indian Ocean)
  • Willy-willy (Eastern part of the Southern Indian Ocean)
  • Typhoons (Western North Pacific Ocean)
• Negative effects of volcanic gases


  • Hazardous to all living things, agriculture and property
  • Carbon dioxide in low-lying areas detrimental to humans and animals
  • Sulfur dioxide lethal, irritating eyes, skin and respiratory tract
• Other Common causes of fire


  • Kitchen stoves - when left unattended, electric cords, curtains, tea towels and oven cloth are so close to the stove top, when flowing sleeves are contacting gas flames
  • Faulty Wiring - if installation was not done by qualified electrician, capacity overload, if safety switches and correct fuses were not installed
  • Candles - when candles are left unattended, when curtains and other flammable items are close to burning candles
  • Children - when children are playing with fire, keep all matches, lighters and candles out of reach of small children, children are not well oriented about fire hazards and fire safety
• Tropical Cyclone Structure


  • Average total diameter of 550 km, can be more than 2000 km wide
  • Eye - lowest atmospheric pressure, 20-65 km wide, weak winds, warm temperature, clear sky
  • Eye Wall - region immediately surrounding the center, strongest winds, heavy rains, turbulence
  • Rain Bands - spiraling strips of clouds in the fringes, associated with rainfall
• Debris avalanche or volcanic landslide


  Massive collapse of a volcano, usually triggered by an earthquake or volcanic eruption
• Effects of Tropical Cyclones


  • Strong Winds
  • Storm Surge
  • Heavy Rains
• Precautionary and safety measures


  • Never leave a fire unattended
  • Always check the electrical equipment
  • Keep a good distance between things that can catch fire
  • Educate children and adults about fire safety
  • Store flammable materials properly
  • Keep a fire extinguisher of a bucket of sand handy
  • Install fire alarms and smoke detectors
  • Know what to do in case of fire
  • Develop a fire preparedness plan
• Negative effects of debris avalanche or volcanic landslide


  • Massive destruction when a huge portion of a volcano collapses due to slope failure
• Classifications of Tropical Cyclones


  • Tropical Depression (wind speed 61 kph or less)
  • Tropical Storm (wind speed 62-88 kph)
  • Severe Tropical Storm (wind speed 89-117 kph)
  • Typhoon (wind speed 118-184 kph)
  • Super Typhoon (wind speed exceeding 185 kph)
• Basic Response Procedure during a Fire Incident

  1. Rescue

  2. Alarm

  3. Contain

  4. Extinguish

  5. Relocate
• Signs of impending volcanic eruption


  • Increase in frequency of volcanic quakes with rumbling sounds
  • Occurrence of volcanic tremors
  • Increased steaming activity, change in steam color
  • Crater glow due to presence of magma
  • Ground swells, tilt and fissuring due to magma intrusion
  • Localized landslides, rock falls not due to heavy rain
  • Drying up of vegetation around upper slopes
  • Increase in temperature of hot springs, wells and crater lakes
  • Variation in chemical content of springs, crater lakes
  • Drying up of springs/wells
  • Development of new thermal areas and reactivation of old ones, appearance of solfataras
• What to do BEFORE the Tropical Cyclone


  • Store adequate food and water
  • Prepare non-cooked foods
  • Have flashlights, candles, battery-powered radios ready
  • Examine and repair unstable parts of house
  • Stay updated on latest weather reports
  • Harvest crops
  • Secure domesticated animals
  • Place boats in safe area
  • Bring essential items if evacuating
• Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan


  A written document which includes the action to be taken by all staff in the event of fire and the arrangements for calling the fire brigade
• Parameters used to monitor volcanoes


  • Ground deformation - surface changes, use of tiltmeters and satellite imaging
  • Seismic activity - earthquakes generated as magma rises, monitored by seismometers
  • Gases - types and rate of emission, use of remote sensing instruments
  • Sensory observations - visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile
• What to do DURING the Tropical Cyclone


  • Stay inside house
  • Stay updated on latest weather reports
  • Boil water if drinking water not available
  • Keep eye on lighted candles/gas lamps
  • Avoid wading through floodwaters
  • Follow evacuation center reminders
  • Evacuate calmly
  • Close windows, turn off main power
  • Put important items in high ground
  • Avoid routes near rivers
• Components of Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan


  • Fire Evacuation Strategy
  • Action on hearing the fire alarm
  • Calling the fire brigade
  • Power/process isolation
  • Identification of key escape routes
  • Fire Wardens/Marshal
  • Places of Assembly and roll call
  • Fire fighting equipment available
  • Training Required
  • Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
  • Liaison with emergency services
• What to do AFTER the Tropical Cyclone


  • Check if house is safe to enter
  • Beware of dangerous animals
  • Watch out for live wires/flooded outlets
  • Report damaged electrical cables/posts
  • Prevent mosquito breeding
• Volcano alert level system used by Phivolcs


  • Alert Level 0 (lowest)
  • Alert Level 1
  • Alert Level 2
  • Alert Level 3
  • Alert Level 4
  • Alert Level 5 (highest)