Public, private entities hold earthquake drill

CEBU, Philippines - Local government units, public and private hospitals and schools and commercial establishments yesterday conducted a simultaneous earthquake drill.

OCD-7 administrative officer Vernil Neil Balaba said they conducted an earthquake drill simultaneous with other sectors nationwide as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spearheads the 1st Quarter 2011 Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill.

The objective of the quarterly earthquake drill is to make the public aware of what to do in case an earthquake occurs in their areas to prevent casualties, Balaba said.

The drill is part of the continuing implementation of NDCC’s Four Point Plan of Action for Disaster Preparedness and as per instruction from NDRRMC executive director and administrator Benito Ramos.

It will showcase critical emergency response operations within the “Golden Hour” (first 72 hours) such as fire suppression, collapsed structure search and rescue, mass casualty incident management and evacuation among others.

A ceremonial pressing of the button was done in the National Capital Region (NCR) which signified the start of the synchronized earthquake drill.

“Kadaghanan gud sa madisgrasya tungod sa stampede kay magpanic naman ang mga tawo, mag-ayahay og dagan ang uban moambak sa bintana. So kini, atong gi-train ang mga empleyado nga makahibaw unsay first move of defense to protect themselves kung asa sila modagan, nga di mag-panic,” said Councilor Semy Cabuenas, chairman on Talisay Rescue and Emergency Team (TREAT) during the drill in the city.

The TREAT with its nurse-members conducted the training yesterday morning.

But since City Hall employees were already informed prior to the drill, they just casually walked out of the City Hall building down to the ground.

Cabuenas said on real emergency situation, if it is possible, the building should have been cleared in five minutes to ensure the safety of all its occupants. But in yesterday’s case, there were even employees who refused to cooperate.

He said for those who are trapped inside the building, they can just stay in areas they feel safe but should watch out for objects like steel cabinets that may likely to fall during earthquakes. He said they should also stay out of the building even after the tremor as there will be an aftershock that could also be damaging.

“Human sa linog, di gyud magpataka og tambay og asa dapita kay naa pa’y aftershock,” he added.

The City Hall, with its fully-equipped 12-member TREAT, is reportedly ready when it comes to emergencies like earthquake, said Cabuenas.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade (CFCFB) brings to Cebu the Learn Not to Burn (LNTB) for safety educational program patterned after the US National Fire Protection Association curriculum for elementary children.

This is in the line with the Philippine celebration of Fire Prevention Month in March when CFCFB will also celebrate its 30 years of dedicated service.

The LNTB program is available to elementary school children worldwide that includes songs, stories, puppets, games and other activities to teach fire safety behavior in a way that children can understand and remember.

In Cebu, activities are lined up for March 4 to 6 at mall hours at the activity area of Ayala Center Cebu which will also highlight the Cebu Fire Run on March 6 at the Terraces grounds.

Leonardo Angeles, the LNTB program chairman, said they already had activities in schools in Cebu before but this is the first time they will exhibit the program in public.

Angeles said that this may also be the first in the entire country.

CFCVFB will hold a photo exhibit featuring the volunteer firefighter in action.

Alongside the photo exhibit are booths like a photo wall where the public can have picture taken with fire gear and hose, a lecture area and fire drill/simulation area where people can experience the proper procedure to follow in case of fire emergencies.

Angeles said that all these are geared at promoting the LNTB program in a fun way.

Firemen in complete fire uniforms and gear will be around along with the mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog.

Since 1980, the CFCVFB with its group of volunteer firefighters has helped fires in the City and Province of Cebu.

Funding and volunteers come from the members of Cebu’s Filipino-Chinese community.

These volunteers render their service on a purely voluntary basis without thought of reward, compensation or recognition, but guided by a sense of civic duty and responsibility for the good of the community blazing a trail in the “spirit of volunteerism and service.” (FREEMAN)