Regular safety drills

BEFORE dawn yesterday, a magnitude six earthquake hit nearby Masbate island province. Thankfully, it caused no major damage and there were no reported deaths or injuries.  However, the electrical supply in the whole province was interrupted.

This reminds us of the unpredictability of earthquakes and the need to be always ready for all the time.

But how should we prepare? Why not conduct monthly earthquake drills (and fire drills, and actually, other disaster preparedness measures) especially in educational and healthcare institutions?

When an earthquake occurs and fire ensues, would our kids know what to do and where to go? 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 conducted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The regular conduct of earthquake and fire 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.

Monthly drills could be done in other educational establishments, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, orphanages and other buildings or structures used for the care of or occupied by the sick, infirm, or disabled.

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 so that our people know what to do in times of disasters and to reduce the risks on their lives, limb and properties.