PREPARING FOR EARTHQUAKES

Marc Gil P. Calang, RN, EMT

• To ensure the safety of occupants (office personnels and
clients) after a damaging earthquake;
• To help the office administrator, department/section
heads and their disaster action groups to design a specific
response plan;
• To train on the proper actions and response during an
earthquake; and
• To test various elements of the response plan designed by
the Disaster Control Group (DCG)

• To identify the safe and unsafe spots with in the AOR,

through Building watch

• To review the topics discussed during the previews

meeting.
 The Philippine Archipelago occupies the western rim of the Pacific
Ocean (Western Segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire), a most active part of
the earth that is characterized by an ocean-encircling belt of active
volcanoes and earthquake generators (faults).
 Philippines: Risk Profile
 Archipelago of 7,100 islands that lies
in the Pacific Ring of Fire

 Located between two Tectonic plates

(Eurasian and Pacific) which are
volcanic and earthquake generators
 There are 22 active volcanoes (5 most
active)

 Located also in the world’s busiest

typhoon belt
 20 typhoons occur annually – 5 are
destructive
Earthquake Generators:
Active Fault and
Trenches
an average of 20
earthquakes per
day

3,600
earthquakes per
year
A weak to violent shaking
of the ground produced by
the sudden movement of
rock materials below the
earth’s surface.
 Two ways of describing the strength of an earthquake

1. Intensity
perceived strength of an
earthquake based on
relative effect to people
and structures; generally
higher near the epicenter

2. Magnitude
based on instrumentally derived
information and correlates strength
with the amount of total energy
released at the earthquake’s
point of origin
INTENSITY
Are you prepared for this ?
or this ?
or this ?

or this ?
When do you start to PREPARE?
 Just before the event?

Later? Prepare only after

Closer to the
Now ? the exact damage
event?
is known ?
 4 Stages of Earthquake Drill
• Stage 1 - Planning/Organizing the Disaster
Management Committee (DMC)/
Disaster Control Group(DCG)
• Stage 2 - Developing the Building Earthquake
Evacuation Plan (BEEP)
• Stage 3 - Orientation prior to the conduct of
Earthquake Orientation / Dry Run
• Stage 4 - Actual Conduct of Earthquake Drill
Conduct inventory of the following: (DAILY BASIS)
 Total no. of personnel
 Total no. of personnel occupying each room/shift
 Total no. of personnel occupying each floor/ shift
 Identify personnel with special needs/shift
 OCCUPANTS
BUILDING TOTAL # OF
ROOM / SECTION / UNIT W/ SPECIAL
A OCCUPANTS
NEEDS
1ST FLOOR Director Operation Security
24
Pax: 3 Pax: 12 Pax: 9
2ND Computer 1 Computer 2 Computer 3 2 Pax in
FLOOR Pax: 10 Pax: 8 Pax: 12 30 Computer 2
Section
3RD Training Research Auditor
15
FLOOR Pax: 5 Pax: 7 Pax: 3
4TH Finance Administration
FLOOR Pax: 4 Pax: 8 12
 Stage 1-B

• Acquire the most recent layout/map. Use this

to identify open spaces & determine the total
area that can be utilized as “ temporary
refuge”
• Obtain a building lay-out/floor plan for each
building that shows the rooms, corridors,
staircases and exit points. (Is the width of the
corridor wide enough to accommodate the
flow of traffic?)
The corridor should wide enough to accommodate
the flow of traffic during an emergency.
 Members of the DMC or DCG should conduct on site walking
exercise and identify safe & unsafe spits inside the grounds. This
is necessary for stressing the do’s and don’ts.
 Observe hazardous areas/practices within the office premises
and dangerous conditions that may exist which people have not
noticed before. This should be plotted on the lay-out.
 Suggest corrections or improvements of current set-up. (e.g. exit
points must remain unlocked during office hours.)
 Assess the structural integrity of the office buildings by a
qualified civil / structural engineer. (City Engineer’s Office)
On Site Watching Exercise
SOME OBSERVED
UNSAFE PRACTICES
• Not properly secured
cabinets.

• Cabinets beside EXITS.

• Lockers along evacuation

routes.
Ground Shaking Impact:

Fall, toppling of things…can hurt or kill!

 SOME OBSERVED
UNSAFE PRACTICES

Appliances not properly secured

NO Emergency Exit Signage

Hazardous Practices
SOME OBSERVED
UNSAFE PRACTICES

No Emergency exit signage

Locked doors
Blocked hallway/corridor
 Hazardous Practices
SOME OBSERVED
UNSAFE PRACTICES

Cabinets not properly secured

against toppling and sliding.

Unfastened LPG tanks

Inside laboratory rooms
Christian Colleges of the Philippines St. Mary’s Academy

Baguio Colleges Foundation Central Luzon State University

 Safe Areas
 Under sturdy tables
 Strong supported doorway
 Open/clear area
 Unsafe Areas
 Glass Windows and Glass Panes
 Book shelves
 Cabinets & furniture that may topple or slide
 Hanging objects
 Elevators
 Power lines/poles
 Bridges & flyovers
 After identifying the safe and unsafe spots, the next step is
to develop the Earthquake Evacuation Plan.
1. The EEP should a have provision to utilize all
available space nearest to the building that are
evaluated as safe from falling debris and other
materials that may cause injuries to the occupants.
2. Determine if there is sufficient open space for all.
Areas to be occupied should be computed assuming
that 3 persons would occupy a 1 square meter area.
3. Consider the no. of occupants in each building (
morning & afternoon session ). Designate a specific
open area for each division as their area of
temporary refuge.
Evacuation Plan
 Strengthen community
preparedness for the earthquake
• Enhance self reliant and
mutual help for efficient
risk management capacity
(basic knowledge, LGU links,
administrative system
supporting community
activities)

• Inculcate a disaster mitigation culture in future

generations
What to do BEFORE an earthquake

The key to effective disaster

prevention is planning.
Determine if site is along an active fault
and/or prone to liquefaction or landslide.

Use proper structural design and

engineering practice when constructing a
house or building.

Evaluate structural soundness of

buildings and important infrastructures;
strengthen or retrofit if found necessary.
What to do BEFORE an earthquake

Familiarize yourself with your

place of work and residence

Identify relatively strong parts of the

building where you can take refuge
during an earthquake:
door jambs
elevator shafts
sturdy tables

Learn to use fire extinguishers, first aid

kits, alarms and emergency exits. These
should be accessible/conveniently located
and properly marked.
What to do BEFORE an earthquake
Prepare your place of work and
residence for the event
Strap heavy furniture to walls to
prevent sliding or toppling.

Store breakable items, harmful

chemicals and flammable materials
in lower most shelves and secure
firmly.

Turn off gas tanks when not in use.

Keep heavy materials in lower

shelves.

Check stability of hanging objects.

Maintain an earthquake survival kit.

Earthquake Survival Kits
(flashlights, battery operated radio, water, rope,
blanket. Candle, matches, tissue paper, pliers,
hammer, etc.)
First-Aid Kits
 What to do DURING an earthquake
If inside a structurally sound building,
stay there!
Protect your body from falling debris by bracing
yourself in a doorway or by getting under a sturdy desk or table.
DUCK

COVER

HOLD
 What to do DURING an earthquake
If outside, move to an open area

Get away from power lines, Stay away from buildings with
posts, walls and other structures glass panes.
that may fall or collapse.
 What to do DURING an earthquake

If along the shore and you feel an earthquake,

strong enough to make standing difficult.

Run away
from
the shore
toward
higher
ground
 What to do DURING an earthquake
If on a mountain, or near a steep hill slope,
move away from steep escarpments which
may be affected by landslides
 What to do DURING an earthquake
When driving a vehicle, pull to
the side of the road and stop
Do not attempt to cross bridges or
overpasses which may have been damaged.
 What to do AFTER an earthquake
If inside an old, weak structure, take the
fastest and safest way out!

 Get out calmly in an orderly

manner. Do not rush to the
exit.

 Use the stairs. Do not use

elevators.

 Check yourself and others

for injuries
What to do AFTER an earthquake

Check surroundings

 Clean up chemical spills,

toxic flammable materials to
avoid any chain of unwanted
events.

Check for fire and if any,

have it controlled.

Check water and electrical

lines for defects. If any damage
is suspected, turn the system off
in the main valve or switch.
 What to do AFTER an earthquake

If you must evacuate your residence/office,

leave a message stating where you are going

Take with you

your earthquake
survival kit,
which should
contain all
necessary items
for your
protection and
comfort.
 What to do AFTER an earthquake
Help reduce the number of
casualties from the earthquake

Don’t enter partially damaged

building, strong aftershocks may
cause these to collapse.

Gather information and disaster

prevention instruction from
battery-operated radios.

Obey public safety precautions.

 What to do AFTER an earthquake

Unless you need emergency help:

Do not use your telephone to

call relatives and friends. Disaster
prevention authorities may need
the lines for emergency
communications

Do not use your car and drive

around areas of damage. Rescue
and relief operations need the
road for mobility.
Pre-earthquake Drill Procedures
 Follow guidelines on what to do before an
earthquake

 Conduct a building watching exercise to

identify safe and unsafe spots

 Prepare earthquake evacuation routes

 Prepare a Building Earthquake Evacuation

Plan and defining the roles of the different
teams
Form a Disaster Control Group (DCG) composed of several
teams with specific tasks and designate an over-all
coordinator.

Over-all Communication Fire – Safety Team Evacuation team

coordinator Team

First Aid Team Site Security

Ground Maintenance
Search &Rescue Team
Inspection Team
Team
SPECIFIC TASKS:

Over-all
coordinator

Over-all Coordinator
confirms emergency situation and coordinates
with all team leaders.
 Communication
Team

Communication Head

calls/informs concerned office/agency of the

alarm/emergency.

coordinates with the Overall Coordinator and team leaders

in sending out the alarm.
 Site Security
Team

Site Security Head – gives instructions to guards and make

sure only authorized personnel are allowed to enter
premises for the search/rescue/salvage operation.

a. Assistants – assume position of Site Security Head in

case latter is not available.

b. Perimeter Guards – cordon and guard properties left

behind.
 Evacuation team

Evacuation Head
takes charge of evacuation and the final head count.

Marshalls Per Floor/section/classroom

give go signal to evacuees and act as
traffic/crowd controllers.
 Fire – Safety Team

Fire Safety Head

Instructs team members of the necessary response.

 Search &Rescue Team

Search & Rescue Head

takes charge of rescue and retrieval of count.

a. Search – searches for dead bodies

b. Rescue – rescues the injured
c. Salvage – retrieves property
 First Aid Team

First Aid Head

provides first aid treatment and

coordinates with the hospital.
 Ground Maintenance
Inspection Team

Ground Maintenance Inspection Head

gives instructions to team members.

a. Genset Power Operator – turns off/on power lines

b. Ground Clearing – clears the ground for debris
c. Building Safety Inspection – checks the building
if it is safe for re-occupancy
 Disaster Control Group
• Communications Team • Search and Rescue Team
– Back-up communication – Search and Rescue supplies
capability (crowbar, hard hat)
– Training of Members
• Site Security Team
– Release policy • First-aid Team
– Procedures to implement policy – First-Aid supplies
– Emergency cards and health
cards
• Evacuation Team
– Special needs
– Plans for designated emergency
assembly area
• Maintenance Team
• Fire-Safety Team – Non-structural hazards
– Fire-fighting equipment – Food supplies
– Training on use of equipment
Earthquake Evacuation Procedure:

Assumptions:
•Continuous ringing of bell for 1 minute
simulates a very strong earthquake
•Person cannot stand
•Buildings may have been damaged but no
collapse
•Possible falling of objects including glass
windows
•NO immediate assistance for several hours
•Possible injuries, fear, and panic among
occupants

RESPONSE 1:
DUCK, COVER and HOLD
Earthquake Evacuation Procedure

EVACUATION PHASE
• When ringing of bell stops (stop of shaking)

RESPONSE 2:
1. Start to evacuate the building
•Be alert & don’t panic
•Listen to the Head for instruction
•Walk out of the room in an orderly manner & watch out for falling debris
•DON’T RUN, DON’T PUSH
•Don’t bring your things

2. Proceed to the designated evacuation area & wait for further

instruction. NEVER go back to the building
Earthquake Evacuation Procedure

Response 3:
•At the assembly area, groups from
each floor must stay together.

Response 4:
•Section head/leader must conduct
headcount to determine if everyone is
present or accounted for.
absent = casualty
Earthquake Evacuation Procedure

Response 5:
•Building Safety Inspection team will
•check building stabity.

Response 6:
•Over-all coordinator will declare drill
terminated and everybody is advised to go
back.
Let us Evaluate…