A New Zealand Fire Service personnel member at the site of the collapsed Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street, holding a can of "V" energy drink.
Fire following earthquakes have caused the largest single loss due to earthquakes and in most cases have caused more damage than the quake itself. This problem is regarded very seriously in Japan and in some parts of the United States of America (San Francisco), but is not very seriously considered in other earthquake prone countries, yet the potential for future conflagrations following earthquakes is enormous. Any discussion of post earthquake fire must take into account structural and non-structural damages, initial and spreading fire, wind, water availability, and emergency responses. In this paper we will look at initial fire ignitions, growth and spread and life and property damage. Prevention methods will also be discussed. We will also discuss as examples some case studies: - San Francisco 1989 - Napier 1931 -Christchurch (scenario)
Building damaged by fire after the earthquake.
Building damaged by fire after the earthquake.
A photograph of equipment from the New Zealand Fire Service Urban Search and Rescue team on display in the Canterbury Quakes exhibition at the Canterbury Museum. The equipment was used during the emergency response to the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Emergency personnel using a crane to check the Forsyth Barr building for people trapped after the 22 February earthquake. On the intersection of Armagh Street and Colombo Street below, police and fire service personnel are gathered. The road below is severely warped.
Page 4 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Monday 31 March 2014.
Page 6 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Wednesday 7 November 2012.
Page 4 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Thursday 8 November 2012.
A video of a tour of the new central Christchurch police station. The video includes interviews with Riwai Grace, Fire Communications Shift Manager at the New Zealand Fire Service, and Superintendent Gary Knowles, Canterbury Area Commander for the New Zealand Police. Knowles gives The Press a tour of the new training area, cafeteria, courtyard, firearm simulator room, prosecution area, interview rooms, and cell blocks.
A photograph of signs on the windows of the Christchurch Art Gallery. The art gallery was used as the temporary Civil Defence headquarters after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The signs read, "Today is Thursday 3 March 2011" and "Wash your hands!". In the background, emergency management personnel and a New Zealand Fire Service truck can be seen.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Search and Rescue Team gear tied to a fence in Latimer Square. After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, emergency service agencies set up their headquarters in Latimer Square.
NZ Fire Service tape around a damaged property. A sign in front of the gate reads "Stay away".
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
A member of the Fire Service entering the Forsyth Barr building through a window in order to check for people trapped by the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A sign reading, "Help" has been stuck to one of the windows and a window above has already been broken by the team.
Page 7 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Tuesday 6 November 2012.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Press conference with Rob Saunders of the fire service and Al Stewart for the police".
Mark Lincoln, wearing a climbing harness, poses with Fire Service personnel. In the background, two people demolish a chimney.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Sean Crawford, fire service radio communication engineer, at the Woolston USAR base, following Canterbury's earthquake".
Professor Maan Alkaisi, a spokesman for the Christchurch Earthquake Families Group speaks with Geoff Robinson.
New Zealand Fire Service personnel conferring on Cashel Street in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, the ruins of the Canterbury Television Building can be seen.
A member of the Fire Service using an axe to break one of the Forsyth Barr building's windows in order to check for people trapped by the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A sign reading, "Help" has been stuck to one of the windows and a window above has already been broken by the team.
A member of the Fire Service using an axe to break one of the Forsyth Barr building's windows in order to check for people trapped by the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A sign reading, "Help" has been stuck to one of the windows and a window above has already been broken by the team.
A team of Fire Service and Search and Rescue personnel using a crane to check the Forsyth Barr building for people trapped by the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A sign reading, "Help" has been stuck to one of the windows and a window above has already been broken by the team.
Urban Search and Rescue personnel escorting construction workers down Colombo Street in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Behind them a team of Fire Service and Urban Search and Rescue personnel can be seen using a crane to check the Forsyth Barr building for trapped people.
Urban Search and Rescue personnel escorting construction workers down Colombo Street in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Behind them a team of Fire Service and Urban Search and Rescue personnel can be seen using a crane to check the Forsyth Barr building for trapped people.
A graphic giving findings of an independent review of the New Zealand Fire Service's response to the 22 February 2011 earthquake.