CDRRMC conducts fire drill to city employees

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.
By Gideon C. Corgue (FPG/GCC/Pagadian/Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, July 10 (PIA) – In observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, the city government here conducted on Wednesday morning a fire drill simulation exercise to its employees to equip them with the basic things to do during disasters/emergencies.

City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) action officer Haron Damada said the drill was in consonance with the observance of July as National Disaster Consciousness Month, which carries the theme “Pamilya at Pamayanang Handa, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bansa.”

Damada said the drill was also designed to test the emergency response plan and to evaluate the operational capability and readiness of the emergency management system of the city government.

In that simulation drill, the employees as well as the transacting public at the City Hall were ordered to go out of the building once they hear blaring sounds or sirens that signal the start of the fire drill.

Damada said the employees were instructed to assemble at their respective evacuation areas like the cemented public parking area and the City Hall Plaza to ensure their safety.

Some of the employees were taught by the personnel of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on how to extinguish fire using a portable fire extinguisher while the other employees, who were passing off as patients with injuries, were carried by CDRRMC members out of the building.

The CDRRMC action officer said the drill was very important for the employees for them to be guided on what to do in case a fire will occur in their respective work places and even at their own home.

“The fire that occurred in barangay San Pedro last June 1, which left two persons dead and destroyed P20-million worth of properties, has taught us an important lesson about disaster preparedness. Thus, we need to be alert at all times,” Damada added.

Damada said, as part of the lined-up activities, the CDRRMC would be visiting the different barangays to determine if they have conducted the same preparations and training while utilizing DRRM fund.

Similar trainings will also be conducted in the different schools in the city.