A proposed new international standard is ISO/AWI 21499, Security and resilience – community-based landslide early warning system. The international standards body ISO says that it will serve to empower individuals and communities who are vulnerable to landslides to act in time to reduce the possibility of injuries, loss of life and damage to property and the environment. It is designed to encourage communities to play a much more active role in their own protection.
The guidelines will be used by communities vulnerable to landslide, government agencies and non-governmental organizations at central, provincial, municipality/district, sub-district, and village levels. Its recommendations will include the following:
Risk assessment
Dissemination and communication
Establishment of disaster preparedness and response team
Development of evacuation route and map
Development of standard operating procedures
Monitoring, early warning, and evacuation drill
Commitment of the local government and community on the operation and maintenance of the whole system
The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) says that such early warning systems are in line with the Sendai Framework for action, endorsed by the UN General Assembly after the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR). One of the four priorities emphasizes the improvement of preparedness, to respond to a disaster, through what organisers call a simple, low-cost early warning system and improving the dissemination of information.
The future standard will be developed by ISO/TC 292, Security and resilience. Some 43 countries are taking part in the committee’s work, under Swedish leadership, with another 14 as observers. For more information: ISO/TC 292 home page, http://www.isotc292online.org/.
The third ISO/TC 292 plenary meeting runs from September 5 to 9 in Edinburgh.
A related standard, ISO/DIS 22319 Security and resilience – Guidelines for planning the involvement of spontaneous volunteers is now available as a Draft International Standard (DIS) for public review and comment.
