Introduction - Reducing Disaster: Early Warning Systems for Climate Change - page 7

before hazard events. In addition to continuity, early warning systems must be:
(1) timely, with lead times that give suffi cient opportunity for action; (2) transpar-
ent, open for scrutiny and feedback; (3) fl exible to expand to different hazards and
vulnerabilities; and (4) have defi ned catalysts or triggering mechanisms.

Box 1.1 Improved early warning systems have ten common characteris-
tics, which have contributed to their success, irrespective of the political,
social, institutional, and economic factors (WMO 2011 ):

1 . Political recognition. There is a strong political recognition of the ben-
efi ts of early warning systems, refl ected in harmonized national and local
disaster risk management policies, planning, legislation.
2 . Common operational components. Each effective system is built upon
four components-hazard detection, monitoring, and forecasting; risk analy-
sis and incorporation of risk information in emergency planning and warn-
ings; dissemination of timely and authoritative warnings; and community
planning and preparedness with the ability to activate emergency plans.

3 . Role clarifi cation . Stakeholders are identifi ed, their roles and responsi-
bilities and coordination mechanisms are clearly defi ned, and then they
are documented within national and local plans and legislation.
4 . Resource allocation. Early warning system capacities are supported by
adequate resources (human, fi nancial, equipment, etc.) across national
and local levels, with long-term sustainability in mind.
5 . Risk assessment . Hazard, exposure, and vulnerability information are used
to carry out risk assessments and the development of warning messages.

6 . Appropriate warnings. Warning messages are clear, consistent and
include risk information; designed to link threat levels to emergency pre-
paredness and response actions (using colors, fl ags, etc.); understood by
authorities and the population; and issued from a single (or unifi ed), recog-
nized, and authoritative source.

7 . Timely dissemination. Warning dissemination mechanisms are able to
reach the authorities, other stakeholders, and the population at risk in a
timely and reliable fashion.
8 . Integration into response planning. Emergency response plans are
developed with consideration for hazard/risk levels, characteristics of the
exposed communities (urban, rural, ethnic populations; tourists and par-
ticularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the hospital-
ized), coordination mechanisms, and various stakeholders.
9 . Integration in relevant educational programs. Training in risk aware-
ness, hazard recognition, and related emergency response actions is inte-
grated in various formal and informal educational programs and linked to
regularly conducted drills and tests across the system to ensure opera-
tional readiness at any time.
10. Feedback . Effective feedback and improvement mechanisms are in place
at all levels to provide systematic evaluation and ensure system improve-
ment over time.