[Vulnerability of a military hospital against earthquake in Tehran based on personnel view and non-structural components]

ABSTRACT

The hospital personnel and staff preparedness and their knowledge about hazards, disasters and also disaster management are effective in disaster management during an earthquake. The present study aims to study the vulnerability of a military hospital against earthquake in Tehran. In this descriptive field study, questionnaire [with 18 open questions] was distributed among 30 staff of hospital. Then, the answers were studied and analyzed definitely. Non-structural components were evaluated with the checklist. About 83% of respondents have declared that there is no warning system in hospital in time of disaster. About 50% of staff have announced that the hospital has a protective system. 70% of respondents have believed some items are necessary such as learning how to deal quickly; how to retrofit non-structural components; and how to cooperate with relief workers dealing with disaster. Most of respondents thought that there should be a resistant room or parking outside the hospital as a temporary housing. Unexpected disasters headquarter and disaster management organizational chart are considered as strength points and lack of some structural and nonstructural standards are as the weak points in the mentioned hospital. There are some other weak and strength points in hospital despite having committee of unexpected disasters and disaster management organizational chart. Although, there are some opportunities outside the hospital, many external threats may increase the hospital problems in time of disasters