Major earthquakes can cause disruptions in our daily lives.

The issue of how much

are we preparing for it still needs to be evaluated. The amount of time and
resources we invest now will significantly determine our resiliency should a 7.2
magnitude earthquake hit Metro Manila.
Everyone and anyone is at risk as this catastrophic event knows no boundary.
Having this in mind, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is
spearheading a region-wide Metro Manila Shake Drill on 30 July 2015 at exactly
10:30 a.m.
The Agency developed the following websites: www.bepreparedmetromanila.com
and www.metromanilashakedrill.com to provide information to help improve our
awareness and promote safety in this type of hazard.

Suggested in-House Earthquake Drill for Government Agencies

Life Safety: Drop, Cover and Hold Drill and Building Evacuation

Before the Drill

1. To participate in the earthquake drill, there is a need to register your agency
commission, bureau or GOCC in the website cited above as an official
participant with details on the number of participants and the focal person(s)
to lead the drill.

2. Announce the scheduled drill during the weekly flag ceremony and during
the management committee meetings. The information on the earthquake
drill may also be disseminated in bulletin boards which includes the following
details:
Date and time of the Shake Drill;
Role of all personnel from management down to lowest rank employee;

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 How to correctly perform Drop, Cover and Hold position wherever they
are. This can be done by taking cover beneath a sturdy table or seat and
covering your head with your hands and arms.

3. (Optional) Download from www.metromanilashakedrill.com a realistic

earthquake sound effects ready to be played during the shake drill.

4. Assign or delegate a Public Safety Officer to serve as lead or focal person for
this activity, preferably from the rank of Director and up. It is advised that
such officer is familiar with the building and its immediate surroundings. The
possibility of experiencing an earthquake while in office will likely be on a
weekday.

5. The Secretary, Chairman or Commissioner together with their deputies

should actively participate in the Shakedrill. By doing so, employees will be
inspired to take the exercise seriously.

6. An inter-department committee headed by one high ranking official and

select employees from various department (the union, general services
department and building administration a must) should develop an
earthquake evacuation and response plan.

7. Have an assessment of what things might fall i.e. glass walls, file cabinet,
ceiling , computers, etc. and make pre-cautionary measures to make them
sturdier. It will be wise to inform the drill participants to veer away from
possible objects that might fall as mentioned above.

Things to consider:
1. Since there will be some disruption on government services, effects of the
exercise such as traffic congestion in the vicinity may be experienced.
Prepare a traffic management plan for that day. Ensure that the drill will
have minimal disruption in frontline services.

2. Determine the objectives of the drill. What would you like to test?

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 3. How will you direct the people inside the building after the shaking? Consider
that certain factors such as location, building construction material type, age
of structure will influence your decisions regarding what to do after an
earthquake.

4. Prepare ahead. Secure important government documents in heavy duty case,

possibly waterproof for easy retrieval in a rubble. Strengthen weak
structures.

5. Prioritize the retrofitting of old government buildings. Many government

buildings are old and dilapidated. In an earthquake scenario, the government
as first responders should have a reliable building in order for them to
survive an earthquake while at the office as they will be the one who will
provide the necessary services for the people. e.g. MMDA for Oplan Yakal ,
DSWD for relief distribution, the military for search and retrieval, DPWH for
debris clearing.

6. Identify the possible scenarios: power outages, closed roads and down
telecommunications.

During the Drill

1. All employees to participate.

2. At exactly 10:30 a.m. on July 30, 2015 continuously ring the alarm/ sirens or
use the public address (PA) system or do verbal instructions to signal the
start of the Shake Drill.

3. Play audio recording of a rumbling earthquake sound (the one you

downloaded) on your PA.

4. Advise everyone to perform the Drop, Cover and Hold position.

5. While down on the floor, employees should look around for possible
materials that might fall, break or collapse such as glass walls, ceiling fan,
cabinet, ceiling etc. and make conscious efforts to avoid them.

6. After 45 seconds, the ringing of the alarm will stop to signal that the shaking
has stopped.
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 8. Everyone may stand up and proceed to evacuate to the safer area based on
the evacuation plan. Take note that our mantra is to Prepare, Survive and
Recover.

7. Use the alternate routes in your evacuation map if there is any obstruction or
your pathway is unsafe or deemed dangerous to use.

8. If an aftershock occurs (scenario playing) while exiting, once again Drop,

Cover and Hold until the shaking stops and is now safe to proceed to a safer
ground such as parking space and open grounds away from trees or electric
posts.

9. It is advisable to stay together and evacuate safely and quietly using the 4
universally accepted Evacuation Rules: Dont Talk! Dont Push! Dont Run!
And Dont Turn Back!

10.Safety officer/ Point person to conduct a headcount and ensure that nobody
is left behind and everyone is accounted for. Extra effort in assistance should
be given PWD and elderly as they are the most vulnerable during an
earthquake.

After the Drill

1. Gather the team and discuss what worked well and what problems arose.
2. The Safety Officer should immediately conduct a post-drill assessment.
3. Discuss the lessons learned in the exercise.
4. Evaluate the conduct of the drill by looking into the details of the exercise
and by identifying possible areas for improvement. This may be done using a
post-assessment form.
5. Business as usual after the drill.
6. Share photos and videos of the drill in the social media or to the shakedrill
website to encourage other government agencies and LGUs, particularly in
the provinces to do the same.
7. Schedule a regular earthquake drill in your respective departments at least
once a year.
Post Evaluation: Things to Ponder on
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 1. Disaster consciousness must be instilled in the awareness of all government
agencies and instrumentalities. Constant education on things to do during an
emergency may be institutionalized per department/ unit thru regular
trainings and drills. A seminar on disaster preparedness should also be
incorporated in the orientation of newly-hired personnel.
2. Have an inventory of disaster equipment, food and medical supplies not only
for the agency but also for Metro Manila residents who will be affected by a
major earthquake.
3. Department/ bureaus in times of calamities should directly report/
coordinate with their mother agencies. Department/ bureaus with devolved
functions should likewise report to concerned LGUs.
4. More than the actual earthquake, other potential hazards must be identified
e.g., power outages, theft and other security risks particularly looting.
5. Check the safety of your structures by determining its structural integrity.
Immediately retrofit the building should you deem it unfit for office
operations.
6. Remember that first and foremost, peoples lives are far more important
than anything. Readily available fire extinguishers, disaster supplies, first aid
kits and food packs will come in handy in stock rooms in these kind of
situations.
7. Talk to other government agencies on best practices on what they have done
and share learning experiences to improve on your earthquake
preparedness.
8. Regularly coordinate with authorities (MMDA, NDRRMC, LGUs, PHILVOLCS)
on the latest development in Metro Manilas earthquake preparation.
Reference: Great California ShakeOut Manual