Earthquake Response Timeliness: Disaster Managers Experience in Responding to Earthquakes in Iran

Abstract. This paper explores the timeliness of main response activities in the Bam earthquake in order to shed light in disaster response effectiveness in the aftermath of the earthquake. Disaster managers who were involved in disaster response activities in the Bam earthquake were selected using snowball sampling method and 30 participants were interviewed. The interviews data were analyzed applying thematic analysis method. The results showed that the extensive damage and large number of casualties challenged the local emergency response services. The problem was compounded by the lack of personnel in the first few hours after the earthquake. Iran’s disaster management system was not prepared to cope with a disaster of this scale. According to the interview data, a response timeline to the earthquake was developed for 48 hours after the earthquake that can assist disaster manager in designing a proper action plan (strategic response plan) prior to an earthquake in the region. This is an efficient way of dealing with disaster response challenges in the aftermath of earthquakes.