BE PREPARED- BE PROTECTED

The devastating Spitak earthquake 1988 in the northern part of Armenia showed that there was not any seismic protection system in the republic. Both the government and the population were not ready to defend from the devastating earthquake. The earthquake is a natural event, but it became an evil, when we don’t know how to defend ourselves. In seismic active regions is paid great attention to seismic stability of buildings and preparedness of governmental bodies and population. The public preparedness is realized in directions: • Mass media, booklets, posters • Seismic protection education Taking into consideration the lessons of devastating Spitak earthquake and world experience the specialists of Northern Survey for Seismic Protection have realized the following education projects: “Seismic culture – a look into the future”, “Be protected from earthquake”. These programs were elaborated for various age groups. Teachers and pupils were trained skills, which will help them to save their lives and lessen material losses during possible earthquakes. The aim is to teach the protection skills in general education in schools as a skill of behavior in extreme situations in the subject “Life Skills”. For the countries located in seismic active regions the co-operation and exchange of the experience is vital because the hazard has no boarders.