ON THE DAY the nation was scheduled to hold the fourth quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on Nov. 5, an earthquake struck. In Western Visayas, the ceremonial site of the drill was San Jose, Antique.
The coincidence was uncanny. But if anything, it emphasized the importance of earthquake drills. And not just a one-time drill. It must be conducted regularly. Earthquakes can occur without warning, there is no way to predict what will happen when it does, but regular drills can teach us ways to survive strong temblors and minimize casualties and damages.
When an earthquake occurs and a fire ensues, do we know what to do and where to go? In schools, would the teachers and school staff know how to keep the children calm and guide them to safety? They would not know unless they undergo safety drills like the earthquake drill. And regularly.
The regular conduct of earthquake drills would effectively instill disaster preparedness in our citizens. Schools and health facilities, aside from being shelter for the vulnerable — children, sick and elderly – are critical public infrastructures, especially in times of disaster when victims need emergency refuge, services and medical care. Therefore, schools and hospitals should be disaster-resilient.
We must participate in and take earthquake drills seriously. We need to accept that we are constantly exposed to these natural hazards but we do not have to live in perpetual fear of it. We have to be proactive to addressing these so they would not turn into disasters. The cooperation among all sectors of society is very important. The drills should include practice and instruction concerning the location, use and operation of emergency exits, fire escapes, doors and fire extinguishers and other facilities provided for such purpose in buildings as well as the proper evacuation of buildings by persons in the event of fires, earthquakes and other hazardous phenomena.
We must enhance our resiliency to disasters by preparing the citizenry, particularly school children and the occupants of health care institutions, their administrators, operators, and personnel on the proper response and actions to take in cases of fires, earthquakes and other hazardous phenomena. We have to do this to reduce the risks on lives, limb and properties.
