Our country lies on a path of disasters. Based on the Country’s Risk Profile from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), Philippines is located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific that makes us vulnerable to an average of 20 typhoons a year, where seven are destructive. It also situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire that explains the occurrence of earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic eruption. The 6.2-magnitude earthquake, typhoon Yolanda and typhoon Ruby proved those facts.
The best that we can do is to be prepared. It is learning what to do before, during, and after a particular disaster or emergency. It is through knowing the risk, your vulnerability when it comes to that risk, and the things you can do to mitigate impact and keep you and your loved ones safe.
Here are safety precautions and things to remember from NDRRMC AND Bureau of Fire Protection:
Before Disaster.
In case of an incoming typhoon or unexpected earthquake and fire accidents, you have to be ready with an emergency kit. Your emergency kit could be in a bag or any safe container to be packed with the following necessities: portable radio and flashlight with extra batteries, hygienic items like soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc., a medicine and first-aid kit, and some clothing for 3 to 4 days. Keep clean and safe drinking water in a clean container and store food with long shelf like canned goods for a minimum of 5to 7 days. You could also include prepaid sim cards with load and extra charged cell phone batteries for future emergency communication needs. Seal in a plastic container important documents like birth certificate, titles, licenses and cards to keep from being ruined. As what typhoon Yolanda experience taught us we have to prepare an emergency fund for future repairs, medical or financial crisis. We also had experienced the inconvenience of power interruption. We have to learn how to cope with other light sources and be away for a while from our electric devices and gadgets.
Schools, dormitories or boarding houses should also have emergency drills for fire and earthquake.
During Disaster.
Keep calm but be alert. Having a ready mind is utmost essential. In case of typhoon, evacuate to a safer place with your emergency bag. The school had identified ADE building in the upper campus as a safe place to serve as an evacuation center.
In case of an earthquake, do not panic. If you are in a room, sit and duck on the floor and cover your head. If you are outside, look for an open and safe area without rushing. Stay away from falling debris and glass panes. If a fire accident occurs, do not hide in the comfort room and stay away from the building that gets burned.
After Disaster.
Do not immediately go back at home or in a damaged building. Be updated from proper authorities. Call the attention of any member of the first aid team or response team if you need help or if anybody gets hurt. You should report to appropriate authorities on any accident that may happen, even minor ones and make a follow-up on the matter.
Currently, the University Students Services Office (USSO) is into strengthening the framework of the school’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Committee. Its members, which are also including students, 1 were trained with Sen. Bam Aquino for first aid and rescue response, traffic controlling, and other skills needed in mitigating impacts and responding during disasters. Dormitory advisers were advised to buy commodities for student occupants for a span of 3 to 5 days prior to typhoon or any emergency. The Security Office, headed by Engr. Celso Gumaod, also organized people for emergency response and had disseminated mobile phone numbers for campus residents to contact.
For emergency, call any of these security contacts:
0906-9580-031 | 0917-6341-532
0905-9346-834 | 0909-8871-222
0943-4355-074
Remember, when you are prepared you can get going with high spirit and optimism.