ODM holds Earthquake Awareness and Safety Drill in Schools

School children practice the ‘drop, cover, hold’ exercise during the earthquake drill

The Office of Disaster Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Education initiated and carried out a national Earthquake Drill in all schools. This is part of the activities to increase awareness on earthquake hazards and safety plans.

A “DROP, COVER and HOLD ON” exercise was executed in schools on Tuesday January 29, 2019 at 10am.

This is a critical activity as the ODM and the wider Ministry of Environment, Climate Resilience, Disaster Management and Urban Renewal seek to build collaborative efforts on strengthening the national Early Warning Systems (EWS) and to build the preparedness and response capacity of our youths.

Students were encouraged to take the message home to their families and continue to practice. The general public should also begin to practice a few simple safety activities. These include examining your homes, offices and business places and determining your safe space such as under desks, tables, beds, an interior wall free of hanging objects or drop and take cover next to these objects if you are unable to fit under them in the event of an earthquake.

Be reminded that earthquakes can occur at any time. Knowing what to do reduces panic and chances of getting hurt.

During an earthquake the recommended practice remains to Drop, Cover and Hold On. Official rescue teams and emergency managers have found that this method will reduce your chances of falling from ground shaking or stepping on objects that have fallen, flying debris and other nonstructural hazards; Increase the chance of your ending up in a Survivable Void Space if the building actually collapses and you will be more likely to react quickly when shaking begins if you have actually practiced how to protect yourself on a regular basis.

Most Dominicans should be familiar with earthquakes. For those who may have never had such an experience an earthquake is a sudden slipping or movement of a portion of the Earth’s crust, accompanied and followed by a series of vibrations. Earthquake magnitude as measured on the  Richter Magnitude Scale ranges from micro to light which is less than 2.0 to 4.9 and the shaking ranges from not being felt but measurable to noticeable shaking but no significant damage likely;  5.0 to 5.9 being moderate with noticeable or major damage for some buildings; 6.0 to 6.9 is classified as a strong earthquake with destructive impact in populated areas and 7.0 and above as major to great earthquakes and usually cause serious damage over large areas.

Hazards that may result from earthquakes include: partial or total collapse of poorly designed or constructed buildings; flood from collapsed dams; falling debris or dust from rubble; landslide; tsunami and could indirectly cause fires.

A few recommended safety tips to practice before an earthquake:

  • Top-heavy objects and furniture should be fastened to the wall and the largest and heaviest objects placed on lower shelves
  • Assess your homes or offices and determine safe areas or “Survivable void spaces”
  • Water heaters and other appliances should be firmly bolted down
  • Set aside emergency supplies and equipment and include a whistle in your emergency kit
  • Teach family members how to turn off electricity, gas and water by learning location of safety valves and main switches
  • Adhere to recommended building codes

Safety tips to adopt during an earthquake:

  • Drop, cover and hold on. Protect head and face
  • Remain calm. Do not rush for exits and try to reassure others where possible.
  • If inside, stay there, if outside, stay there
  • If inside a building get under a sturdy desk, table or bed if in close proximity
  • Move away from windows, glass doors, heavy mirrors, pictures, bookcases, hanging plants and heavy objects
  • Outdoors – find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines. Drop to the ground.

For further information visit www.odm.gov.dm or call 448-7777

Earthquake drill – students evacuate building

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1 Comment

  1. Gouvelma
    January 31, 2019

    Hast it occurred to those involved in the earthquake drill that the information given is a recipe for mass death? Imagine going under a desk and a load of rubble falling on that desk. What do we think will happen? Students will be crushed beyond recognition. I think it is best to advise people to sit beside the bed or desk during an earthquake. I is said that the safest place to take refuge during an earthquake is beside a stack of papers. Papers cannot flatten hence whatever falls on that paper will be kept up. So for those in Scholl during an earthquake sitting beside a stack of books in the library is the safest place, not under any desk. If you are at home sitting beside the chair or couch is the safest place and not under any bed or table. Please think again about what advise is given to the children.

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