Abstract. Rapid loss estimation after potentially damaging earthquakes is critical for effective emergency response and public information. A methodology and software package, ELER-Earthquake Loss Estimation Routine, for rapid estimation of earthquake shaking and losses throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region was developed under the Joint Research Activity-3 (JRA3) of the EC FP6 Project entitled "Network of Research Infrastructures for European Seismology-NERIES". Recently, a new version (v2.0) of ELER software has been released. The multi-level methodology developed is capable of incorporating regional variability and uncertainty originating from ground motion predictions, fault finiteness, site modifications, inventory of physical and social elements subjected to earthquake hazard and the associated vulnerability relationships. Although primarily intended for quasi real-time estimation of earthquake shaking and losses, the routine is also equally capable of incorporating scenario-based earthquake loss assessments. This paper introduces the urban earthquake loss assessment module (Level 2) of the ELER software which makes use of the most detailed inventory databases of physical and social elements at risk in combination with the analytical vulnerability relationships and building damage-related casualty vulnerability models for the estimation of building damage and casualty distributions, respectively. Spectral capacitybased loss assessment methodology and its vital components are presented. The analysis methods of the Level 2 module, i.e.
Most successful search and rescue is performed by neighbors and household members during the first 24 h after an earthquake, before professional responders arrive on the scene. Many spontaneous responders become casualties in the process. Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute's Disaster Preparedness Education Project with the support of the Earthquake Engineering Department has developed a training module for Community Disaster Responders to help them assess the level of damage for immediate citizen disaster response. Learning the signs of damage in both reinforced concrete and adobe buildings, they will be better able to distinguish the slight and moderately damaged buildings where their light search and rescue efforts will be effective, as opposed to the heavily damaged buildings where professional help is required for safe extrication. Incorporating citizens into the early stages of building collapse rescue is designed to make professional urban search and rescue efforts more effective. The program is being piloted in Turkey by the Civil Defense Directorate, Search and Rescue Brigade. It is expected that this will lead to a new demand for engineers to work in partnership with community-based organizations for planning and prioritizing disaster mitigation efforts, and to participate in immediate post-disaster damage assessment. Engineering recommendations will also be needed for post-earthquake building re-entry and re-habitation risk assessment.
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