TOPICS-2:Fire, Disaster and Risk Management Center

As the pivot of disaster control, preparing for the " unpredictable" and " sudden crises"

The Fire, Disaster and Risk Management Center is the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's operation command room for disaster control established within the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications. With an information network developed to link it permanently with the Japan Meteorological Agency and prefectural/municipal fire defense headquarters, it is the place where the disaster control headquarters placed under the command of the Commissioner of Fire and Disaster Management Agency is established and Fire and Disaster Management Agency's personnel promptly gather as soon as a large-scale disaster takes place. Utilizing advanced means of information gathering including the fire and disaster management radio, local satellite communication network, helicopter TV transmission system, etc., it will assess the states of a disaster-stricken area accurately. Then, utilizing the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's information analysis functions, such as disaster management information, extensive area cooperation support, Emergency Fire Response Teams movement information and petroleum complex local information management systems, it will issue commands calling for prompt, adequate countermeasures.
The raging energy of a large-scale disaster can devastate everything, including lives and property. To practice fire fighting and rescue operations leaving nothing to be regretted later and fulfill the responsibilities as a command tower, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency always tries to prepare for unpredictable situations by faithfully conducting exercising drills simulating real disaster situations. This is to learn by experience the strain the members would be exposed to in an actual disaster control operation, while providing important feedback for improvement, such as those concerning the functionality of fire defense forces and the need for revision of the relevant laws, which are not identifiable through mere desk planning. Drills simulating the imminent great Tokai earthquake are performed not only at the Fire and Disaster Management Agency but also at various other government departments that are concerned with disaster control.