Disaster prep

Last weekend, we ran across a "disaster preparedness" event in Azabu Juban, the market street near our house. The goal was to teach children to handle emergencies: fires, earthquakes, car accidents, sick people. It was so much more hands-on than anything you'd see in the US!

Naturally, because this is Japan, there were large characters in costumes.


Kids were strapped into this "car," which then "crashed" to show the effects of seatbelts and airbags. The amusing thing about this display is that you often see Japanese children bouncing around moving cars without seatbelts; families also routinely disable the passenger airbag so kids can sit in front.


This girl and her dad were learning CPR.


The fire engine ladder took people for a speedy ride 10 stories up.


Kids and parents sprayed water on a gas- or kerosene fire.


There was a telephone setup for children to call "119" (Japan's 911) for different scenarios. The girl on the telephone is talking to the "dispatcher" on the right.


My favorite was this "earthquake truck" - something you don't see in the US, but apparently a relatively common sight here.


Children climb into the back of the truck (taking off their shoes first) and, when the truck starts to shake violently, the children huddle under the tiny table. Note the swinging lamp above the table.



We walked around, nabbed two fire hats and a few balloons and went to the bakery to get doughnuts.