2009 Volume 8 Issue 2 Pages 88-91
Shirakawa village hasn't had voluntary organizations for disaster prevention. Instead of them, fire-volunteers which base on the community have played significant roles for local disaster management and safety. The study reviewed history of fire-volunteers, their activities, awareness of members, residents'awareness about the fire-volunteers, and activities of women's fire prevention club. It clarifies fire-volunteers' roles and mechanisms of their continuance. The activities of the fire-volunteers have enhanced the local disaster management and people's awareness against disasters and emergencies. And fire-volunteers have carried out the important function at the time of almost all events as well as disasters. Result showed that those various fire-volunteers'activities have been sustained by the awareness to protect"Gassho"style houses from disasters in the whole community. In addition, fire-volunteers have been able to play major roles with the cooperation of women's fire prevention club and residents.
