disaster management

I wasn't able to attend the seminar on emergency life support at the office today. Since President Arroyo ordered earthquake-preparedness drills in schools, business districts and public places nationwide as part of a massive disaster awareness campaign last May 29, our agency has been more earnest in its disaster preparations.

Even before the earthquake in Java, our agency already had a disaster management plan and manual prepared. Our building was reinforced. The exits are being repaired and strengthened. The rooms were all provided with fire extinguishers, etc.

We were all assigned in different teams. I was assigned in the communication team. And the week before the Java quake, I already prepared our office's brochures on what to do when faced with certain types of disaster.

On May 31, we had our first seminar on disaster preparedness. The speakers talked about different types of disaster, roles of the different disaster management teams, the role of the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Office of Civil Defense, and other preparations. I learned that Philippines is the 4th most disaster-prone country.

On June 5, our speaker was Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) Director Renato Solidum. I always thought that it was more dangerous to be inside high buildings when an earthquake occurs. Director Solidum said that if a 7.2 intensity earthquake occurs here, there would be more homes (especially low-cost housing) damaged than buildings. This is because of substandard materials, insufficient reinforcement bars and other construction inadequacy.

On June 8, Engr. Ariel Miranda from the Bureau of Fire Protection gave us some backgrounder on fire, safety precautions and what to do if there’s one. I learned that there are different kinds of fire extinguishers and ways of suppressing fire, depending on its nature. But there are two things that I really remember from his talks: Plan your escape route and dial 117.

sayong
06-13-06 11:55pm