Synergized Standard Operating Procedures for
Coastal Multi-hazards Early Warning System (SSOP)
8 th IWS/2 nd TRCG Forum
Macao Science Center, Macao, China
Jim Weyman, Project Manager hiammic@gmail.com

 Purpose:
Promote community resilience to coastal multi-hazards through standard operating procedures for effective multi-hazards Early Warning System
Focused mainly on the National Meteorological and
Hydrological Services to meet the needs of diverse users
 Funded by : ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami,
Disaster and Climate Preparedness in Indian
Ocean and Southeast Asian Countries
 Time Frame : 24 months (1 August 2012 – 31
July 2014) with possibility extension to 31 Dec

PTC region (7) :
Bangladesh (Pilot); India; Maldives; Myanmar;
Pakistan (Pilot); Sri Lanka; Thailand
TC region (7) :
Cambodia; China; Lao PDR; Malaysia;
Philippines (Pilot); Thailand and Viet Nam
First project of TC to be funded by international organization

 Build communication platform as a cooperation mechanism.
 Focus mainly on meteorological and hydrological services for more vulnerable coastal areas to natural disasters.
 Review and document performance of Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP) for coastal multi-hazard
EWS.
 Create Manual of synergized SOP for integrated hydrometeorological approach to coastal multi-hazard EWS
 Train users on interpretation and uses of SOPs .

GOAL : Promote community resilience to coastal multi-hazards through SOPs for effective multihazards EWS for improvement of policy and institutional arrangements
 MAIN OUTPUT 1: Manual of Synergized Standard
Operating Procedures for integrated approach to Coastal
Multi-Hazards Early Warning System, focusing on hydrometeorological service including SOPs related to warning providers, disaster managers, media, fishermen
 MAIN OUTPUT 2: Regular communication and cooperation mechanism between TC and PTC on coastal multi-hazard early warning, particularly southern countries in the region

 Reviewing and synergizing the existing Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) for coastal multi-hazard EWS
 Develop the Manual of Synergized SOPs for an integrated approach for Coastal Multi-Hazards EWS
1.1 - Workshop for collecting/exchanging information (8-9 May 13)
Indicator: Unmet needs of SOPs for EWS Identified (Completed)
1.2 - Piloting in selected
Indicator: 3 In-country Workshops (3-11 October 13) (Completed)
1.3 - Compile a Manual/Handbook of Synergized SOPs for an integrated approach. (Developing – Need Input)
Indicator: Distributed Manual/Handbook to TC/PTC Members

Enhancing capacity building on performance of SOPs for coastal multi-hazard for TC and PTC Members
2.1 Training of users in the interpretation of EWS products
Indicator: Train about 50 decision-makers, disaster managers, media professionals and warning issuers from 13 beneficiary countries.
(Possible date 2 nd week in June 2014)
2.2 Working meeting on building a cooperation mechanism between TC and PTC for coastal multi-hazard EW information sharing and technical transferring for target countries.
Indicator: about 20 participants from 13 beneficiary countries as focal points of cooperation mechanism joined the meeting.

 Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in association with Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies for
Environment (GAATES) Technical Assistance for enhancing the capacity of end-to-end multi-hazard EWS for coastal Hazards in
Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Philippines
 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Disaster Risk
Reduction Broadcast Media Initiative
 Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System
(RIMES) in cooperation with World Meteorological
Organization Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

 TC and PTC Country Focal Points (NMHS and NDMO)
 ESCAP Economic and Social Commission of Asia and Pacific
 TC Typhoon Committee
 PTC Panel on Tropical Cyclones
 ADPC Asian Disaster Prevention Center
 ABU Asian – Pacific Broadcasting Union
 GAATES Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies for Environment
 ADRC Asian Disaster Reduction Center
 IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
 WMO World Meteorological Organization
 RIMES Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

It is envisioned that the knowledge gained will be disseminated through:
 Manual
 TC and PTC workshops, training courses and
Websites with collaboration/coordination with partners
 Partners’ Meetings and Workshops (ESCAP, WMO,
ADPC, ADRC, IOC-UNESCO, RIMES, etc.)

Steering Committee Composition
 Chairperson of Advisory Working Group of Typhoon Committee
 Secretary of the Typhoon Committee;
 Secretary of the Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
The Chairperson of the TC AWG will perform the functions of Head of the Steering Committee.
Duties
 To select Consultant (s) and Project Manager;
 To provide guidance to Task Force, Project Manager and
Consultant(s)
 To monitor progress of the SSOP project implementation.

Project Manager / (Technical Advisor)
 To implement SSOP and c oordinate related programmes or activities.
 To take part in the activities related to SSOP.
 To maintain progress of the implementation of the project and to prepare the progress reports;
 To draft initial M anual of Synergized Standard
Operating Procedures for Coastal Multi-Hazards
Early Warning System and coordinate development

Task Team Structure and Organization
 Chairpersons or representatives of WGM, WGH,
WGDRR, TRCG of TC and the Chairpersons or representatives of the WGM, WGH, WGDPP of Panel on
Tropical Cyclones;
 Representatives from TC and PTC Secretariats;
 Consultants from potential cooperation organizations;
 Focal points from 13 beneficiary countries among
Members of TC and PTC; and
 TC Secretary to perform functions of Head of Task Force

Manual of Synergized Standard Operating Procedures
 Wide variety of cultures, governments, past experiences, relationships, risks, and people among countries and even within many countries. SSOPs must be flexible best practices, operational guidelines and re commendations
 Focused on meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management offices, and national tsunami warning centers, but other agencies must be involved in detailed, integrated ways to make the end to end, cross-cutting early warning system work. Various user sectors within government, businesses, and communities should be considered and add ressed.
 Need for a policy part of this development . With different agencies and government levels, a policy framework would increase chance for success.

Training and Human Capacity Building
 Technical required, but also other types needed .
Training the warning preparer to communicate better with media and media to better understand the risks and potential impacts.
 Awareness of risks, potential, and similarities and differences among coastal hazards at various level s
 At community level , training on meaning of warnings, risk, potential, actions needed, and methods to increase awareness especially for areas not significantly impacted for 10 -30 years.

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Team Members
 Jim Weyman, Project Manager/Technical Advisor
(Philippines and Bangladesh, Skype into Pakistan)
 Olavo Rasquinho, Meteorological Expert, TCS
 Atiq Kainan Ahmed, Disaster Response Expert, ADPC
 Mr. Walter Welz, Media Expert, ABU (Philippines and
Bangladesh)
 Ahmed Said Al Barwani, Hydrology Expert, PTC
 Mr. Nadeem Ahmed, Media Expert, ABU (Pakistan)

In Country Pilot Workshops were held :
 October 3-4, 2013 Manila, Philippines
 October 6-7, 2013 Dhaka, Bangladesh
 October 10-11, 2013 Islamabad, Pakistan
http://www.typhooncommittee.org/SSOP/indexSSOP.html

Sub-Activity 1.2: Pilot SSOPs project focus on institutional capacity building from the national level to the local level
Workshop Purpose
 Review existing SOPs for coastal multi-hazards EWS for
Hydro-meteorological, disaster management, media, elected official, and others from national to local levels
 Identified strengths, gaps and needs in both agency internal SOPs and also integrated SOPs among agencies.
 Develop a plan of a ction
 Based upon three in country visits, to develop a draft SOP manual.

Recurring themes
 High level government commitment and support
 Legal and legislature framework.
 Collaboration/coordination at all levels – national, regional, and local.
 Media involvement as a partner.
 Multi-hazard approach
 Fully implemented elements of a people centered early warning system
 Technical and financial assistance may be required to prepare these SOPs efficiently and funds should be identified/requested.

Strengths
 Favorable Framework for Creation/Maintaining SOPs.
 Excellent Examples of Existing SOPs
 Systems to assist in detection, monitoring, forecasting, and warning services
 Systems/Situations to assist in dissemination and communications
 Systems to assist in response/preparedness capacity
 Supporting MOUs in place

Gaps and Needs – SOPs for Specific Areas Needs
 Each agency SOPs for the implementation of roles and responsibilities defined in national policies
 SOPs for both technical and non-technical activities
 Hydro-meteorological service SOPs on all aspects of forecast and warning process
 Development, use, and dissemination of storm surge information
 Cyclone forecasting and warning process in consultation with all stakeholders
 SOP to cover back-up plans for catastrophic events such as power failure, fire, facility damaged, etc.
 SOP concerning preparing after action reports for situations which can be released to media and public
 DRR/management agencies below national level of government SOPs on heavy rain situations
 Local government SOPs on evacuation, sheltering, and resettlement

Gaps and Needs – Integrated, cross-cutting SOPs Needs
 SOP standards for sharing of procedures , especially for local governments to use higher level government
 Multiagency, detailed SOP on dissemination/communication process of alerts and warnings, including backup systems
 Multiagency SOP on the process and mechanism for sharing data and data analysis
 Local communities SOPs to prevent conflicting activities and to ensure rapid dissemination
 Provision of SOPs to other agencies and consultations from the national down to local officials
 Coordination procedures on dissemination of warnings and information by national, district and local governmental agencies to the media to prevent issuance of conflicting information
 Coordinated procedures on the process of implementation of new or updated S OPs involving all relevant agencies
 Coordinated process and procedures to simplify alert and warning information to include in SOPs, including use of technical terms, number of warning levels, emphasis on hazards not technical terms, specific non-generic warnings, simplified warnings and bulletins that media can “rip and read”
 Involvement of non-government private, professional, civil society, community organizations and families in the development of SOPs
 Guide book or reference manual for media to understand and communicate warning information

Testing and maintaining needs
 Annual or scheduled reviews of all SOPs - Validate
 Updated based on past experience
 Conduct post disaster assessment between DRR/management and media
 Review of SOPs after changes in equipment, procedures, etc.
MOU related needs
 National plan or MOU clearly defining all roles and responsibilities in EWS
 MOU between DRR/management and media to define single, official source of information for government and methods of communicating
 MOU between hydro-meteorological service and media on methods and procedures of dissemination of data
 MOU between hydro-meteorological service and DRR/management agency
 MOU on data formats, warnings, and monitoring systems

Manual - General
 Wide variety of cultures, govern ments, past experiences, relationships, risks, and people among countries and even within many countries. SSOPs must be flexible best practices, operational guidelines and recommendations that can be applied in a variety of situations.
 Direction and guidance should come from the highest le vels of government to mandate the need to disseminate, consult, and collaborate at all levels
 Focused on National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, the
National Disaster Management Offices, and the National Tsunami
Warning Centers, other relevant government, business, and community agencies must be involved in detailed, integrated ways

Manual/Handbook should contain:
 Minimum baseline standard requirements
 Ideas/guidelines on format and content
 Ideas and checklist for SOPs for different types of events and different levels of threat
 Ideas and guidelines for multi-hazards SOPs with different parts for different hazards
 Need for regular updating as and when required and after a disaster;
 Need to test and conduct regular exercises/drills to validate SOPs
 Protocols to use with different levels of government
 Examples from other countries of SOPs and other related actions and procedures
 List of relevant available websites , case studies, documents, and videos for reference information
 Ideas and examples of usage of social media and its application for information dissemination and 24/7/365 weather, hazard, and early warning updates;
 The need to incorporate designation of spokesperson for event
 Usefulness of an electronic database on different types of disasters categorized by meteorological, hydrological, tsunami, etc. in EWS
 Ideas on advance communication techniques (net radio, cell phone applications) for first responde rs