NMP holds earthquake and tsunami drill

By National Maritime Polytechnic
December 6, 2018

TACLOBAN CITY – In a bid to elevate public awareness on how to respond in the wake of any emergency situations caused by natural calamities, such as earthquake and tsunami, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) in partnership with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Tacloban City conducted an earthquake and tsunami drill participated by NMP trainees and employees on 05 November 2018 at the NMP Complex, Tacloban City.

The activity was held pursuant to the directive from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) relative to the conduct of CY 2018 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) and Observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day on 05 November 2018.

The drill started at around 10:00 AM with a one-minute siren which was meant to inform everyone inside the NMP premises that an earthquake has just occurred. All NMP trainees, employees, and guests do the “Duck, Cover and Hold On”.

In an interval of ten seconds, another one-minute siren was heard, a signal for everyone within the vicinity to evacuate the building and proceed to the designated mustering stations wherein a marshall will do the head count. One “scenario casualty” was reported needing immediate medical attention. Using the NMP emergency vehicle, the search and rescue team was dispatched and was able to bring the casualty to a safe area where a cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was executed by the assigned First Aide, an NMP trainee.

After the casualty was revived, the third siren was alarmed for one minute in anticipation for an aftershock, Tsunami. Everyone was advised to proceed to the second floor of the NMP Administration Building having a higher elevation compared to other buildings in the area.

The exercise was terminated after the communication was established to the different responders identified by the team.

"This will help us prepare ourselves when a tsunami or an earthquake hits Tacloban City," Mr. Eduardo V. Polo, Training Officer of Tacloban City CDRMMO said.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone are aware and knowledgeable of the things that should be done in cases of emergencies," he added.