equipment. The Fire Defence Agency undertakes such tasks as sorting requests and applications from local public bodies and selecting groups to receive aid.
In addition, the Fire Defence Agency has produced earthquake education pamphlets since fiscal 1989 and earthquake education videos since fiscal 1990, which it distributes to local public bodies with the support of the Japan Lottery Society Foundation.
Projects being carried out are as follows.
1) Erection of earthquake disaster evacuation signs
The Japan Lottery Society Foundation has provided local public bodies with evacuation guide signs and refuge guide plates since fiscal 1979, to make it easier for local residents to evacuate safely and rapidly to refuge sites designated by the local public body beforehand designated.
Two hundred and sixty one units were erected in fiscal 1996 year, making a total of 7,883. In fiscal 1997 213 more units will be erected.
2) Emergency water-purifying device projects
Emergency water-purifying apparatus has been provided by the Japan Lottery Society Foundation since fiscal 1982 in an attempt to improve the emergency water supply system in an earthquake disaster. A total of 21 had been installed by fiscal 1996, but it was decided to install no more after fiscal 1997.
3) Emergency temporary tent project
Emergency temporary tents have been provided by the Japan Lottery Society Foundation since fiscal 1988 for use as emergency first-ald stations for the injured and sick in an
