ANGELES CITY— The city government here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. will hold the First Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on March 9, 2023 at 2PM, reverting into a face-to-face simulation exercise after three years of virtual conduct of such drills due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The city-wide drill will be done in accordance to the nationwide earthquake drill mandated by the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
Mayor Lazatin is encouraging all Angeleños to participate and familiarize themselves with the proper action to be done should calamities, like earthquakes, occur.
The earthquake drill will also gauge the city responders’ readiness during disasters, as well as to instill preparedness to people.
“Sibilyan man o rescuer, importante na praktisado natin ang wastong initial response sakaling tumama ang kalamidad,” Lazatin said.
Members of the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), led by Rudy Simeon, on February 27, 2023 presented to Mayor Lazatin the drill’s mechanics, evacuation process, and incident scenario to be simulated.
The officials agreed to simulate a scenario which will imitate the damaging effects of the anticipated “The BIG one” within the premises of the Angeles City Hall to test various elements of the evacuation plan designed by the ACDRRMO.
“This will train City Hall employees and its occupants to properly act during earthquakes,” said Simeon.
The Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Angeles City, City Health Office (CHO) and Civilian Security Unit (CSU) will be among initial responders during the simulation.
It could be remembered that Mayor Lazatin awarded Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Trauma Bags to the 33 barangays and 47 public schools in the city in 2022 as part of his priority programs to encourage barangay officials and teachers to put priority on disaster prevention and preparedness.
The EMS Trauma Bags include gauze pads, cotton balls, alcohol swab, iodine swab stick, micropore tape, leucoplast, elastic bandage, tweezers, hot packs, cold packs, sam splint, trauma scissors, sa et of oropharyngeal airway, bag valve mask, stethoscopes, pulse oximeter, thermal blanket, BP apparatus set, and thermometer.
Mayor Lazatin also ordered the ACDDRMO to conduct basic life and first aid training to public schools to ensure the students’ safety against emergencies within the school premises during a disaster.
