NMP Holds Earthquake and Tsunami Drill

In a bid to elevate public awareness on how to respond in the wake of anyemergency situations caused by natural calamities, such as earthquake andtsunami, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) in partnership with the CityDisaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Tacloban Cityconducted an earthquake and tsunami drill participated by NMP trainees andemployees on 05 November 2018 at the NMP Complex, Tacloban City.

The activity was held pursuant to the directive from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) relative to the conduct of CY 2018 4^th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) and Observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day on 05 November 2018.

The drill started at around 10:00 AM with a one-minute siren which was meant to inform everyone inside the NMP premises that an earthquake has just occurred.  All NMP trainees, employees, and guests do the “DUCK, COVER AND HOLD ON”.   

In an interval of ten seconds, another one-minute siren was heard, a signal for everyone within the vicinity to evacuate the building and proceed to the designated mustering stations wherein a marshall will do the head count.  One “scenario casualty” was reported needing immediate medical attention.  Using the NMP emergency vehicle, the search and rescue team was dispatched and was able to bring the casualty to a safe area where a cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was executed by the assigned First Aide, an NMP trainee.

After the casualty was revived, the third siren was alarmed for one minute in anticipation for an aftershock, TSUNAMI.  Everyone was advised to proceed to the second floor of the NMP Administration Building having a higher elevation compared to other buildings in the area.

The exercise was terminated after the communication was established to the different responders identified by the team.

“This will help us prepare ourselves when a tsunami or an earthquake hits Tacloban City,” Mr. Eduardo V. Polo, Training Officer of Tacloban City CDRMMO said.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone are aware and knowledgeable of the things that should be done in cases of emergencies,” he added.

Meanwhile, those interested in NMP research undertakings may visit the NMP website (www.nm.gov.ph) and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed for gathering inputs for NMP’s research, dissemination of NMP completed researches and other articles pertaining to maritime research.

For more information about NMP trainings viewers may visit the agency’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings are available.

NMP also encourages seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) which entitles the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs from the OWWA.