Question

explain in details why is it not possible to have 100% safety in case of disaster.

Answer 1

No, it is not possible to have 100% safety in a disaster. Climate change is a reality, not a distant possibility in the future. With change of climate, the number of natural – weather related- disasters is increasing. In protecting ourselves against adverse effects of extreme weather related events (floods, drought, storms), we have to accept that hundred percent safety cannot be guaranteed. We have to move from so called fail-safe systems (100% safety) to safe- fail systems. The latter has the objective to minimise the damage in case an extreme event might occur. Historically, Consulting Engineers have played an important role in reducing the vulnerability of societies to the risks of natural disasters. With climate change new challenges are lying ahead. The recently established taskforce on disaster management of the Netherlands Organisation of Consulting Engineers (ONRI) brings together the expertise of a number of consulting engineering firms which are active in this field. It serves as a think tank to develop, introduce and promote new methods and approaches in disaster management. In trying to reduce our vulnerability to the risks of natural disasters, the taskforce not only concentrates on economical effects and possible solutions, but also on emergency planning as an important issue which requires attention on the short term.