FAQ: What’s #BaguioCityShakeDrill and how can you participate?

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera Autonomous Region (OCD-CAR), in partnership with Baguio City, local civic leaders, and institutions, will be conducting the first city-wide earthquake drill on Thursday, March 31.

Known as #BaguioCityShakeDrill, this exercise aims to prepare individuals, households, and institutions for a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. All of Baguio City’s 128 barangays are expected to participate in the drill.

To give the public an idea about the drill, OCD-CAR provided answers to the following frequently asked questions (FAQ):

WHAT IS THE BAGUIO CITY SHAKE DRILL?

It is the first citywide earthquake drill that will test the city’s preparedness. The drill aims to create a muscle memory of alertness among the people in the event of a tremor as strong as the 1990 killer quake. It also aims to instill the duck-cover-hold earthquake response and assess the evacuation plans and procedures of various sectors. Through the drill, gaps will be documented and addressed.

 

WHEN WILL THE DRILL BE CONDUCTED?

The drill will be conducted on Thursday, March 31 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am in the entire Baguio City.

Search and rescue simulations will also be taking place at SM City Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, Saint Louis University, Baguio Country Club, Philippine Military Academy, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority-Baguio complex.

 

WHO WILL JOIN THE DRILL?

All residents are invited to participate in the drill – whether they are in school, in the office or on the road.

Government and disaster management officials, responders, and volunteers will also be performing their duties and actively taking part in the #BaguioCityShakeDrill.

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE DRILL?

 

1. At 10:30 am of March 31, a simulated magnitude 7.2-earthquake hits Baguio City. The tremor is generated from Tubao Fault along Tubao municipality in the province of La Union. Intensities 6,7 and 8 is felt. According to the Phivolcs earthquake intensity scale, this means it brings a VERY STRONG to a VERY DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT in Baguio City and Benguet Province.

2. The scenario is “scientifically-based” and simulated on the Rapid Damage Assessment System (REDAS) of Phivolcs.

3. Last July 16, 1990, A magnitude-7.8 earthquake occurred. It generated 6 to 8 intensity levels (VERY STRONG to VERY DESTRUCTIVE category). In Central and Northern Luzon, it left 1,283 dead, 2,786 injured, and 321 missing, as well as 25,305 totally damaged houses and 77,249 partially damaged houses. Twenty-eight buildings collapsed in Baguio City.

HOW DO WE KNOW IF THE DRILL IS STARTING?

1. At 10:30 am, the sound of an emergency situation (Siren of City Hall and fire trucks, ringing of school bells, and others) signify the start of the earthquake drill and the occurrence of the strong earthquake. The alarm will last for one minute. This signifies the shaking of the ground. To those who may not hear the alarm, please refer to the time.

2. Depending on where you are, your company, school, or institution may also sound off their own alerts and bells through their public announcement (PA) systems.

 

HERE’S WHAT TO DO DURING THE #BAGUIOCITYSHAKEDRILL:

WHEN INSIDE AN OFFICE/SCHOOL/BUILDING:

1. If you are at the office, school or other buildings, once the signal starts at 10:30 am, perform the Duck, Cover, and Hold position for one minute as part of the drill to teach people what to do when the big earthquake strikes. The intention is to protect yourself from falling objects.

2. When the shaking stops (after the one minute siren), the evacuation procedure immediately follows. Proceed to the designated evacuation areas in your school/office.

 

WHEN AT HOME:

1. If you are at home, we encourage you to perform the Duck, Cover, and Hold position for one minute as well.

2. Have your emergency bag on hand with whistles. Prepare your family evacuation procedure. Check possible causes of fires like LPG tanks. Monitor the ongoing drill within your neighborhood. Visualize and know where your family members are, and check your house surroundings for cracks and structural defects.

3. When the shaking stops (after the one-minute-siren), the evacuation procedure immediately follows. Proceed to the designated evacuation areas in your barangay.

4. Please refer to your respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) for your designated evacuation areas.

 

WHEN OUTSIDE:

1. Do the “Duck, Cover and Hold” for one minute.

2. Proceed to an open area; move away from things that may fall or topple; move away from the steep slopes which may be affected by landslides or rock slides.

 

WHEN ON THE ROAD:

Traffic enforcers from the BCPO – Traffic Management Branch (TMB) will signal the start of the drill on all major roads by holding up EARTHQUAKE DRILL signs. All vehicles are expected to stop for one minute, except for vehicles on and below flyovers and tunnels which need to keep moving to avoid the structures.

 

SEARCH AND RESCUE SIMULATION EXERCISES TO BE CONDUCTED BY:

1. SM City Baguio

2. University of the Cordilleras

3. Saint Louis University

4. Baguio Country Club

5. Philippine Military Academy

6. Philippine Economic Zone Authority Cordillera

 

PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS:

1. Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital

2. Baguio Medical Center

3. Baguio General Hospital

4. Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital

5. SLU Sacred Heart Hospital

6. Pines City Doctors Hospital

7. Filipino – Chinese General Hospital

 

ACTIVATION OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EVACUATION PLANS:

All establishments (government, private, hospitals, commercial and educational institutions) will activate their respective Disaster Management Plans and Evacuation Plans.

 

 

 

MAIN EVACUATION CENTERS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT:

1. Session Road

2. Melvin Jones Football Grounds

The main Command Center will be established in front of the Baguio City Hall.

– Rappler.com