Prevention of panic is primary goal of earthquake drill – Pama

(Wikipedia Photo)

MANILA, July 30 – The primary goal of Thursday’s Metro Manila-wide earthquake drill is to prevent panic which could cause needless injuries and deaths should a magnitude 7.2 tremor hit the metropolis anytime in the future, according to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Administrator Alexander Pama.

He said the development of “muscle memory” (instinctive reaction of what to do in an event of major quake) will help prevent panic and provide Filipinos with the readiness, skills and knowledge needed to survive a major tremor.

Pama added that the drills will provide responders with the opportunity to plan their response and determine their shortage of equipment and training.

Once the “duck, cover, and hold” mentality takes effect, the NDRRMC chief said it is very probable that injuries and deaths that would result in a major earthquake will be greatly reduced.

He added that a night-time earthquake drill is also in the offing to give the public and searchers-and-rescuers the skills needed to perform in the dark.

During Thursday’s exercises which simulated the effects of a massive magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Metro Manila, an “initial damage assessment” was conducted via aerial reconnaissance, using aircraft with data-link capability and motorcycle volunteers.

Afterwards, the NDRRMC activated its “National Response Clusters” involving the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

This involves the DSWD activating its “12-Response Clusters” which direct the AFP to set up its Multi-National Coordination Center to request aid from other allies of the country.