A Grade 6 student of the Camp Crame Elementary School fainted during the simulation of an evacuation in the Metro-wide earthquake drill.
Chief Supt. Efren Perez of the Directorate for Police Community Relations said the actual drill lasted 14 minutes but they could have done it faster.
“Some of our policemen know this is only a simulation so they tend not to move as fast. But if this were the real thing, this would be over in five minutes,” he said after the drill.
He noted that Thursday’s drill, part of the “Metro Manila Shake Drill,” was an improvement from their previous record of 17 minutes.
In the scenario set for the simulation, there were two “fatalities” and seven “injured.”
The 5,000 participants of the drill evacuated to the Camp Crame transformation oval in front of the grandstand, the biggest open area in the police camp.
“There is no building here, it is a very safe place here in Camp Crame. There would be no falling building or structure because this is an open area,” Perez said.
The Grade 6 student who fainted during the evacuation was immediately rescued and treated by first aid responders. She was brought to the PNP General Hospital.
Policemen and civilian employees filed out of the buildings, some covering their heads to protect themselves from injury while others walked normally to the transformation oval.
Even moving vehicles inside the police camp stopped, while police officials also joined the drill.
The policemen were reminded to first wait for the shaking to stop before evacuating to the open area, and to always “drop, cover and hold.”
Perez said they would conduct unannounced earthquake drills as a “mind-setting” exercise for policemen for them to be always ready, aware and alert.
“If ever there is an earthquake, no matter how what the magnitude, they should have the mindset that they will immediately proceed to the transformation oval for evacuation,” the police official said.
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Arnulfo Demiar of the Directorate for Operations noted that policemen generally knew what to do in case of an earthquake.
“Our policemen should also assist civilians on what to do in case of an earthquake… This should be done regularly and unannounced, or during night-time,” he said
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