USC conducts evac drill

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 2,000 students of the University of San Carlos Main Campus in downtown Cebu simulated an evacuation procedure last October 3 as a response to a combination of earthquake and fire scenario.

According to USC Emergency Rescue Team chairman Fr. Eleno P. Bucia, the drill is meant to test the readiness and search and rescue skills of their students who have constantly been exposed to trainings via the National Service Training Program.

"The drill is also meant to test our firetruck (in addition to the school ambulance) which the university newly purchased so we can deal with any event of fire in our campuses," he said. The same drill was carried out in its Talamban campus last October 1.

It was learned that the regular training on a safe and secured USC already cost the school from P1.2 million to P1.5 million in terms of program development, equipment and logistics support. "The university has invested already in millions to ensure a safe learning and working environment," Fr. Bucia disclosed.

Around 400 students and school personnel served as paramedics and damage control team members, while around 10 students acted as "victims."

Such routine emergency drills are part of the mandate of the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils compliant to Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, seen as important preparedness schemes for students and employees in the event of a disaster, especially within the university premises.

The exercise was also monitored and evaluated by representatives from the Office of Civil Defense, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Commission on Higher Education to assess that responses are mature and of best  practices. Such are expected to help cultivate a culture of preparedness and resiliency among Carolinians towards disasters, both natural and man-made hazards, Bucia added.

"We used to observe separate fire drills from earthquake drills, but the Bureau of Fire Protection challenged us to respond to both, as a fire normally follows a tremor. We are working at institutionalizing the evacuation drill as a routine under taking every semester," Fr. Bucia added. (FREEMAN)