Study on Mechanism and Activities Traditional Community Based Disaster Preparedness in Japan

Roles of Fire-Volunteers during the Fall Festival

Abstract

Local villages in Japan have been established a mechanism to protect themselves by cooperating together from the natural hazard. Fire volunteers have been active in protecting villages from natural hazards such as fire and flood for many years. They also have an active role in the community to protect their ordinary daily life but also they have active roles in festivals and educating the young. This report focuses on the roles of fire volunteers in the festival called "Doburoku Festival" in Shirakawa village. Fire volunteer takes a main roles has been established since a leader of the village decided to make this festival as a highlight for the tourism of the village where have preserved the house roof with thatches. This report aims to present the importance of focusing the activities of fire volunteers in the festival which could be effective in the response to the emergency situations.