Capitol to Join 1st Quarter National Earthquake Drill on March 31, 2017

The Cebu Provincial Government will participate in the 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on March 31, 2017.

The activity is in line with the ongoing efforts of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to educate the public on what to do in case a major tremor hits the country.

The drill will be held in Cebu Capitol ground and in pre-selected areas in Sugbo SRP, Vicente Sotto Medical Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), and Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and in the AFP Central Command Headquarters in Lahug.

Governor Hilario P. Davide III, along with the Secretary of National Defense, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and Phivolcs Director will press the ceremonial “Push Button” at 9 in the morning of March 31.

The “Push Button” is a gesture that will start the drill.

This year’s NSED will showcase the response capability of the entire Cebu province. It will depict a simulated 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with prepared scenarios on Mass Casualty Incident involving 35 casualties, High Angle Rescue, Collapse Structure Rescue, Fire Suppression, Vehicle Extraction and Air Evacuation.

The drill also aims to evaluate the interoperability of concerned agencies in addressing earthquake and disasters that affects a wide range of sectors. The NSED will also enhance the level of alertness that would eventually develop into a higher level of situational awareness before, during and after disaster.

In the scenario, local rescue agencies will be responding to Capitol after being notified by the Provincial Incident Management Team, headed by Lawyer Ramil Abing, the designated Incident Commander of the simulation exercise.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) and the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) will also conduct a Communication exercise with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Offices of the 51 towns and municipalities, who will then transmit situation report thru the radio communication equipment at the local Police Community Precinct.

Those who are making transactions in the Capitol are advised to expect a service disturbance on this day in view of the NSED 2017.

SOURCE: www.cebu.gov.ph