Submitted by

Requirements
Topic
Facilitator

: Octavia S. Cuyangan
: Public Safety Management/Acad. Paper
: Fire and Earthquake Drill
: Dr. Jezreel B. Vicente

INTRODUCTION
During a damaging earthquake, life-protecting actions must be taken immediately. There will not
be time to decide what to do next; everyone must already know how to react appropriately. After an
earthquake, further life-protecting actions such as emergency evacuation or first aid administration may
be necessary. Fire and Earthquake drills and exercises are an extremely important part of our
preparedness .
BODY OF RESEARCH
Earthquakes are a common occurrence, rumbling
below Earth's surface thousands of times every
day. But major earthquakes are less common.
Here are some things to do to prepare for an
earthquake and what to do once the ground starts
shaking.
Its important to keep getting out these
basic fire safety messages. Because, people still
just dont get it. And ignorance can be deadly.
Several surveys over recent years continue to find
that 80%-90% of Americans feel safer from fires at
home than in a public building, or feel equally safe
in both locations.
Unfortunately, they couldnt be more
wrong. Nearly four times as many fires occur in
residences as in non-residences, and they are far more deadly. 85% of all US fire deaths happen in
homes.
Yet people seem far more concerned about dangers they are less likely to face. Less than half of those
surveyed correctly identified fire as the event most likely to cause harm to them or their family.
The risk of dying in a fire is actually:
149 times more likely than dying in a flood;
126 times more likely than dying in an earthquake;
39 times more likely than dying in a hurricane or tornado.
Perhaps the false sense of being safe from fire at home explains why only 18% of survey respondents
said they worry about the dangers of fire more than once a year. If we can get people to think about fire
safety at least twice a year, it will be a huge leap forward!
Its important to keep getting out the basic fire safety messages. Because, people still just dont
get it. And ignorance can be deadly. Several surveys over recent years continue to find that 80%-90% of
Americans feel safer from fires at home than in a public building, or feel equally safe in both locations.
Unfortunately, they couldnt be more wrong. Nearly four times as many fires occur in residences as in
non-residences, and they are far more deadly. 85% of all US fire deaths happen in homes.
Yet people seem far more concerned about dangers they are less likely to face. Less than half of those
surveyed correctly identified fire as the event most likely to cause harm to them or their family. The risk of
dying in a fire is actually:

 149 times more likely than dying in a flood;

126 times more likely than dying in an earthquake;
39 times more likely than dying in a hurricane or tornado.
Perhaps the false sense of being safe from fire at home explains why only 18% of survey respondents
said they worry about the dangers of fire more than once a year. If we can get people to think about fire
safety at least twice a year, it will be a huge leap forward.
DISCUSSION
Fire/Earthquake/Disaster Drills
Fire Drills
1. Fire drill procedures must be clearly stated - in writing and must be viewed regularly with students,
teachers, and other personnel.
2. Emergency exits must be clearly indicated.
3. Phone numbers of emergency personnel must be readily available.
4. Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and checked regularly.
5. Total evacuation fire drills must be held at least three (3) times in each school term.
6. The principal of the school shall instruct all employees in fire drill procedures subject to existing
conditions.
7. Each teacher or employee shall have a copy of the Fire Exit Drill.
Earthquakes
1. Hazard Assessment and Reduction
In preparing for the eventuality of an earthquake much can be done to earthquake proof a building to
minimize most common hazards and maximize the safety of students and taff. Some suggestions to the
principal regarding assessment procedures include a reminder to:
(a) Review assessment measures regularly with staff.
(b) Identify and make known to students and staff primary and secondary evacuation routes.
(c) Ensure there is always unimpeded access to the building and site for emergency vehicles and
personnel.
(d) Have fire equipment - extinguishers and alarms - checked regularly to ensure they are operational.
(e) Follow procedures for dealing with shut off valves for water, gas, electricity as outlined in the District's
Operations Manual.
(f) Provide for regular inspections of high hazard areas such as industrial areas, science labs, gyms and
libraries, etc. to ensure proper procedures are followed regarding use and storage of hazardous
equipment and substances.
(g) Provide for regular inspections of classrooms to identify and minimize potential hazards. Attention
must be given to such things as: free-standing cabinets, bookcases, and wall shelves; heavy objects on
high shelves; aquariums and other displays near seating areas; audio-visual equipment on portable carts;
pianos on wheels; wall mounted objects (clocks, maps); ceiling tiles and light fixtures, as well as anything
peculiar to a classroom or school setting.
2. Drills
The following suggestions are given to principals regarding the establishing of earthquake drill
procedures:
(a) Because earthquakes strike without warning, it is essential that students and staff react immediately
and appropriately at the first indication of ground shaking. Therefore, drills should provide for classroom
discussions, demonstrations, and exercises designed to help students and staff learn and
practise where to seek shelter and how to protect themselves from falling or flying objects.
(b) Before actually conducting earthquake drills, it is important to explain what might be expected and the
procedures to be followed during an actual earthquake. Such a discussion should include the possibility
of noise during a quake and the need for students to be silent and follow directions, students to be silent
and follow directions, the results of a quake and the need to take shelter, the probability of after shocks
and the procedures to be followed if elsewhere at time of quake, and the procedures for releasing
students.
(c) Drills should include steps to be taken during the actual earthquake and actions to be followed once
the ground stops shaking.
In the Event of an Earthquake Emergency

If indoors:
(i) Stay indoors;
(ii) Move away from windows or other potential hazards;
(iii) Take cover under table or desk or against inside wall or doorway, face away from glass. If shelter
moves, move with it and stay under;
(iv) Remain quietly in position until earthquake is over and/or until further instructions are given.
In halls, stairways or places where no cover exists:
(i) Move to interior wall (be careful of lockers);
(ii)Kneel with back to wall, place head close to knees, clasp hands behind neck, and cover side of head
with arms. (drop position)
In libraries:
(i) Move away from where books and bookshelves may fall;
(ii) Take appropriate cover.
In laboratories:
(i) Extinguish all burners (if possible);
(ii) Stay well clear of hazardous chemicals;
(iii) Take appropriate cover.
After the initial shock, when things settle down, staff and students should evacuate the building. The
teacher should take with him/her the class register. Once outdoors, students and staff should report to
predetermined areas and remain there until notified that they may re-enter the buildings or pupils have
been picked up by parents or other authorized persons.
If outdoors:
(i) Move to an open space (away from buildings, trees, power-lines and other hazards);
(ii) Assume drop position until quake is over.
Students should be instructed that if they were on their way to school or at school when the earthquake
occurred, they should, once it is over, continue to school and report to their designated area. If on the way
home, they should continue home once the quake is over.
If on the school bus:
(i) Drivers should stop the bus away from hazards (power-lines, bridge, overpasses, buildings and trees);
(ii) Remove overhead objects and place under seats or in the aisles;
(iii) Remain in their seats and hold on.
Once the quake is over the driver should, if on the way to school, continue to the first school and
seek advice; if delivering students home, continue to the nearest phone and contact the transportation
supervisor for assistance. If unable to continue, the driver should contact the transportation supervisor
and wait for assistance.
(d) At the beginning of each school year, parents should be advised of the school's emergency plan and
the procedures the school expects parents to follow with respect to earthquakes.
(e) Arrangements should be made with the school nurse to have a well-stocked portable first aid kit on
hand.
Other Emergencies
1. Notify the principal or designate-in-charge.
2. Designate a person to take charge of the situation.
3. Summon emergency personnel immediately - ambulance, fire department, police, and inhalator. WHEN
IN DOUBT, SHOUT! Staff members will have to use their best judgment regarding such things as first aid
and substituting private transportation for regular emergency vehicles.
4. Evacuate the area of school if necessary.
5. Notify parents or guardians and, if necessary, the family doctor or dentist (this information must be on
file and readily accessible). If the injured party is to be transported to a hospital, advise the hospital
authorities ahead of time. Generally speaking, the consent of the parent or guardian is required to provide
hospital or emergency treatment. In urgent cases, medical personnel will usually perform
"heroic measures" without such consent. The consent of a teacher as a surrogate parent in such
circumstances is not acceptable to the authorities and should not be offered.
6. File necessary reports (accident, Workers' Compensation Board, and school district reports).
7. There should be a person on staff with a qualified first aid certificate, recognized by the Workmen's
Compensation Board who may be called in emergency situations to offer assistance.

SUMMARY
Earthquakes, also called temblors, can be so tremendously destructive; its hard to imagine they
occur by the thousands every day around the world, usually in the form of small tremors. Loss of life can
be avoided through emergency planning, education, and the construction of buildings that sway rather
than break under the stress of an earthquake and likewise regarding fire.
REFERENCE
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/earthquake-safety-tips/