# Special Feature: Large-Scale Disasters and the Police – Restructuring Crisis Management Systems based on Lessons learned from the Earthquake

Since the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake, many police units have been dispatched from across the nation to the prefectural police of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures (hereinafter the “police of the three affected prefectures”) to ensure the operational integrity of police structures, and engage in a wide range of activities. In a country like Japan that faces the threat of a variety of natural disasters, it is important to steadily proceed with recovery and reconstruction initiatives following this earthquake and simultaneously verify the various measures taken regarding the earthquake to ensure that any inadequacies and lessons learnt are reflected in all future policies. With this in mind, the police established the “Examination Committee to Disaster” (Committee Chairman: NPA Deputy Commissioner General) in November 2011, and this committee has since been proceeding with activities such as reviews of police measures for large scale disasters.

In order to serve as an opportunity to consider preparations for natural disasters as well as to deepen awareness of police activities and roles associated with this earthquake, this special feature outlines measures taken by police in relation to the earthquake and the verification of these measures, followed by an introduction of the approaches taken in on-going restructuring of crisis management systems for disasters based on discussions, and other efforts within the Examination Committee to Disaster.

## Section 1: Verification of Police Activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake

## 1 Police Activities in the Initial Stages

## (1) Evacuation Guidance/Search and Rescue

## 1 ) Evacuation Guidance

Police officers were dispatched to the coast, and other areas to disseminate tsunami related information and implement evacuation guidance. In addition, when evacuation directives and other instructions were issued for the vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and other areas, police also implemented other measures such as evacuation guidance for residents, traffic control and checkpoints. At the time, there were persons in some of the hospitals and care facilities for the elderly in the designated evacuation zone that had difficulty evacuating and required assistance. To facilitate the swift evacuation of those requiring assistance, police officers and other units from the Fukushima Prefectural Police conducted evacuation guidance activities in collaboration with the Self-Defense Forces.

Rescue activities in flooded areas

## 2 ) Search and Rescue

Search and rescue activities were implemented by the police of the three affected prefectures and Inter-Prefectural Emergency Rescue Units (IERU), as well as other units, were dispatched from across the nation. In addition to using various materials and equipment, a range of rescue methods were employed such as placing ranger unit officers on board police aircraft (helicopters) to lift victims with hoists and rescuing victims from isolated communities by forming human chains of police officers.

## Main Issues for Review on Evacuation Guidance/Search and Rescue

- Considering that police station personnel serve as the hub for evacuation guidance activities, promotion of an approach that makes further effective use of individual police station activities, such as designating the best shelter sites and evacuation routes for each region by collating geographical characteristics.

- Since hoist rescue proved effective in search and rescue activities in flooded areas, implementation of continuous training to increase rescue proficiency.

- For the prefectural police that have nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities within their jurisdictions, creation and revision of plans that include methods of communicating information to local residents, transportation systems, methods, and destinations for persons requiring assistance, having first established an understanding of the residency status of such persons while coordinating with related agencies, and enhancing man-power, materials and equipment availability.