My school, Cubay Elementary School as a routine activity on disaster preparedness and consciousness conducted an earthquake drill Thursday, July 11, 2013.
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| Earthquake drill |
Before this is done, we have to satisfy first the four stages of the earthquake like planning or organizing the earthquake drill, developing the school earthquake evacuation plan, orientation prior to the conduct of earthquake drill, and the actual conduct of earthquake drill.
These stages where already discussed to the members of the school disaster management committee and to the pupils last year. This year's activity is a follow-up. We the school heads do understand that this earthquake drill would only be effective if it is done regularly. Not only done, when some parts of the country is experiencing a calamity like the earthquake. "Constant practice makes perfect" so to speak.
Phases of Earthquake Drill (PageWise, 2002)
In conducting the earthquake drill, there are 6 phases of self-explanatory things to comply with, such as Phase 1 - Alarm, Phase 2 - Response, Phase 3 - Evacuation, Phase 4 - Assembly, Phase 5 - Head count, and Phase 6 - Evaluate.
School Earthquake Drill
Past ten o'clock in the morning, just after the recess, when the pupils were all in their classrooms and classes were going on, we conducted an earthquake drill for this year 2013.
As the bell rang for one minute duration, all classes were stopped. Every pupil went under their armchairs, desks as they ducked, covered and held their heads, including their teachers too. Then when the bell stopped, which one of the external stakeholders was requested by me to do the task, the pupils from every grade including the kindergarten pupils slowly went from their respective classrooms and headed to the designated evacuation place, which was outlined in the evacuation plan posted in every wall, just beside the door.
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| Phase 1 & 2 - Alarm and Response |
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| Phase 3 - Evacuation |
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| Phase 4 - Assembly |
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| Phase 5 - Head count |
Teacher-advisers conducted a headcount of their respective pupils. Two evacuation areas were designated accessible to the pre-schoolers and primary graders, and to the higher grades. One was in the flag pole area. The other one was in front of the stage.
Before they proceeded to their respective classrooms after the drill, I took time out on evaluating the drill especially finding the difficulty in following the instructions, in fining the route to evacuation area, among others. Every member of the disaster management committee was on the alert to do his or her job when needed.
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| Phase 6 - Evaluation |
Damages to properties, and to the lives are prevented when everyone is ready, always prepared whenever a calamity occurs when he or she least is expecting it.
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these kids are really cool. they are even cooperative with the fire drill. this is a good example of prevention is better than cure.
ReplyDeleteCorrection please Sef. It is not "fire drill". It is an EARTHQUAKE DRILL.
DeleteBeing prepared to any unseen incidents is very cool.
ReplyDeletewhen I was in prep school drill like this are anticipated not for the meaning or should I say purpose but because it's time to be outside and specially if the teacher has a schedules test it would mean chance to check our note for the last minute prep.
ReplyDeleteI experience the drill and the real thing, I can say that no one can really prepare you to what you should feel when the real thing comes,that affects your logic which could block all what you have learned in drills. BUT it is for sure good to know how to act just in case it turn out to be real... But lets all hope that there will be no real think and I dont really care if I drill every other week as long as it wont happen in real.
This is in preparation in case an actual earthquake may happen and they know on what to do. Yes, we all don't want that this thing will happen in reality for it is too dangerous. But we cannot evade with nature when it will occur for our country is within the earthquake belt.
DeleteI still remember our earthquake and fire drill on my previous employment, when everybody is making fun out of it and not take it seriously, then just few days an earthquake happened. Though it's only 2-3 magnitude but they were scared to death since we're on the 12th floor and the ones who don't pay attention during the drill, are one's panicky. I just hope these kids really learn from it as it could save their own and somebody's life in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is a serious matter and as reported from the news, many have been victims of an earthquake. It is better to be ready and be prepared always than to take any chances.
DeleteIt's nice to have kids do Earthquake drills and being a survivor of a major earthquake makes me appreciate drills like this.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was in grade school that we used to have drills like this. It's actually good preparation for the students, just in case something happens (hopefully wala)
ReplyDeleteJust what the scout motto is be prepared.
DeleteSo you're a Principal, wow! During my elementary upto my college years our teachers didn't taught us to be prepared in a calamity like earthquake. They are so lucky :)
ReplyDeleteI remember every time we do this, we would just laugh and don't take it seriously.. now, I learned the lesson.. :)
ReplyDeleteGood to know Sir that your school are educating your students on earthquake safety drill. If only all schools in our country do the same thing, then earthquake casualties will be minimize.
ReplyDeletethis is a very good practise for all the children in school that they can apply whenever they are until they grow up! it is a very nice way to teach them how to be safe in times like earhtquake
ReplyDeleteThis is a good example for every schools and offices to follow. Preparation and information will minimize casualties.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I had an earthquake drill was four years ago. It's good to know that the school is ding this for the kids :)
ReplyDeleteGod forbid but we all know that earthquakes and any other form of disaster may come without any warning and its just right that we all know what to do in times of these. And more importantly, our government officials and agencies should have a strategic disaster and crisis management plan. Anyhow, its amazing that you facilitated an earthquake drill to these kids, Sir Gil! You definitely doing a great job. :)
ReplyDeleteDrills like this are important so that everyone will be prepared and have an idea of what to do when something unexpected happen, especially for those kids.
ReplyDeleteWe may never be able to stop all these calamities but we sure can minimize the damage.