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Town’s conducts ‘believable’ fire drill

January 18, 2011

MEXICO — When the fire alarm rang, patients of the Mexico Community Hospital (MCH) were immediately evacuated to a safe zone.

Doctors, nurses and other medical staff also went out of the hospital building, covering their heads to protect themselves from falling debris.

Moments later, rescue team members brought to the makeshift medical post several wounded persons including a pregnant young woman.

Later, a fire truck arrived and put out the fire that gutted the outpatient department of the hospital compound. Less than 30 minutes, a fire out was declared.

It was almost real but these situations were all simulations of possible incidents should earthquake and fire hit the community hospital.

“It’s important for us to have these kinds of training and preparedness like how to evacuate and pinpoint safe zones when disaster happens,” Mayor Teddy Tumang said.

Tumang said hospital workers should be the first persons to know basic disaster management skills since they are expected to save lives.

During the Monday fire drill, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Neri Amparo observed how Mexico natives reacted and managed the situation.

Amparo said the natives were 99 percent prepared for any disaster. She even said Tumang’s presence during the fire drill was a manifestation of the mayor’s concern for his constituents.

“This only proves that Mayor Tumang is hands-on in managing the situation. We would want Mexico to be the model town among others in terms of conducting fire drills,” Amparo said.

SF02 Crisconde Lalic, a representative from the provincial Bureau of Fire and Protection, agreed with Amparo that Mexico natives are already skilled in managing disasters.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chief Lulu Alingcastre, Mexico Fire Marshall Allan Lalic and representatives from the Philippine Information Agency also witnessed the fire drill.

Few reminders

However, Amparo noticed some drawbacks, like the lack of flashlights and a visible “Fire Exit” sign.

“The center isle should also be cleared so when the rescue team needs to rescue someone, they can easily pass. They should also prepare spine boards,” Amparo said.

Amparo also said that earthquake drills across the country are important since the Philippines is situated on the ring of fire which makes it prone to earthquakes. She said the country experiences at least 24 earthquakes a day.

Tumang assured Amparo that he will personally attend to her reminders. (Charlene Cayabyab)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on January 18, 2011.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/towns-conducts-believable-fire-drill

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