YOKOSUKA, Japan –
DLA Distribution Yokosuka, Japan’s Safety Office sponsored their first off-site training tour of the Yokosuka Municipal Disaster Prevention Center “ANSHINKAN” on April 4.
“ANSHINKAN” in Ogawa-cho Yokosuka city Japan is where local residents can experience how to react to natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires. Using a special earthquake simulator, they were able to experience an earthquake firsthand. The simulator lets individuals feel a wide range of earthquake situations, including intensities from three to six, similar to past Japanese earthquakes, like the Great East Japan Earthquake and Great Hanshin Earthquake.
The center also has a fire simulator that allows residents to learn how to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher and how to evacuate a room or building when there is smoke. After the simulation, pictures and a videos of their experiences are available for individuals to review.
Due to the geographic and geological characteristics of the Japanese archipelago, middle to large-scale natural disasters can strike at any time. While military conflicts or terrorism may be thwarted through human efforts, typhoons and earthquakes are unstoppable, affecting all those residing in the nation. Because natural disasters are inevitable, especially in Japan, it is all the more important for the local Distribution workforce to make sufficient preparations to cope with them, both in the workplace, and at home.
This experience enhances the employees’ knowledge of protection procedures during earthquakes, fire and storms. Fifty-one employees have already participated in this training since the first offering. In addition to providing an off-site experience, away from the normal workplace, this allows sections and teams an opportunity to bond.
DLA Distribution Yokosuka plans to continue this small group training each week, until everyone at the Yokosuka distribution center has had an opportunity to experience this training.