The first Tsunami evacuation drill on Enoshima Island. The experience is said to be extremely important for city fire fighters to accumulate/Fujisawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201170020/

January 17, 2012

Training operation where disaster victims requiring assistance are evacuated via a stretcher by firemen=Enoshima Island, Fujisawa City

On January 17th, the first tsunami evacuation drill of Enoshima Island (Fujisawa city) was implemented. The training was conducted to assist injured people in seeking refuge. The island's firefighting group/personal and police force stayed in close contact with each other. Using rear draw carts and stretchers, they simultaneously guided citizens to a safe area.

"This is the first time Tsunami evacuation drills have taken place on Enoshima Island. Even though we're an island, I expect the arrival of a tsunami would cause considerable damage," said a shopkeeper participating in the drill. Managing a souvenir store that has been open since the Edo era, the 76 year old man spoke with a tense expression.

Near the entrance of the main road, the large waves of typhoons, etc. were said to have caused damage to the infrastructure. "If a tsunami came, it seems houses would be washed away. I'm not used to evacuation drills being carried out here."

For the drill, at 9AM an (imaginary) earthquake occurred, whereby forecasts and warnings of tsunamis were broadcast. People requiring protection were recognized by firefighters and given assistance and instruction. They were guided to a landmark (The citizens house of Enoshima Island), located 27 meters above sea level.

Fire Chief Misawa Yoshiro of the city's fire fighting headquarters said "Even though evacuations were quick during the Eastern Japan disaster, the cases of damage were not as low as possible. We wish to quickly evacuate using the smallest amount of time necessary. Because of that, it's extremely important we accumulate this training.”

Original text:

江の島で初の津波避難訓練、市消防「積み重ね極めて重要」/藤沢

2012年1月17日

担架で要援護者を避難させる訓練を実施する消防関係者ら＝藤沢市江の島

藤沢市江の島で17日、初となる津波避難訓練が実施された。避難に助けが必要な災害時要援護者の支援訓練が行われ、リヤカーや担架を使って島内の消防団員や消防署員、警察署員が連携し、住民を一時避難場所へ誘導した。

「江の島での津波避難訓練は初めてのこと。島だから津波が来たら相当な被害が出るはず」。訓練に参加した、江戸時代から続く土産店経営の男性（76）は緊張した面持ちで話した。

 参道の入り口近くでは台風の高波などでもこれまでに被害が出ていたという。「津波が来たら、家は流されるだろう。訓練を重ねて慣れておかないといけない」

訓練は、午前９時に地震発生、津波警報が発表されたと想定。要援護者への支援活動指示や、消防活動の確認、海抜27メートルにある「江の島市民の家」への避難誘導などが行われた。

市消防本部の見澤由郎消防長は「東日本大震災でも素早い避難で被害を最小限にできたケースが少なくない。一分でも一秒でも早く避難してもらいたい。そのためには訓練の積み重ねが極めて重要」と話した。