Thursday, July 24, 2008 PDCC, OCD hold disaster drill at Capitol
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), in cooperation with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), on Wednesday initiated disaster preparedness and response briefings among Capitol employees in accordance with the Disaster Preparedness Week.
The Disaster Preparedness Week, which is set to culminate on Monday, calls on all sectors, particularly government officials, in strengthening and updating disaster response plans.
The Preparedness Week PUT emphasis on fire and earthquake drills among schools, government offices and public establishments.
Lucia Gutierrez of the PDCC said in relation to the event, the council has tapped the Provincial Capitol to be the pilot group on the basic drills and response during disasters. The briefings included basic medical and first aid response, safety techniques and basic rescue skills.
The briefings are being conducted by experts from the OCD and PDCC on different Capitol departments here until Friday.
"Government employees should also be familiar with the basic response and preparedness on disasters. This activity would also impress on our leaders the importance of disaster management plans not just for public establishments but also for towns and the whole province," Gutierrez said.
She added that a comprehensive Fire and Earthquake Drill would be conducted on Monday to be participated by Capitol employees and department heads. The activity, according to Gutierrez, would serve as basic evaluation on the briefings conducted by the PDCC and OCD.
The drill would feature simulated scenarios during disasters wherein employees would act as both disaster victims and rescuers.
"After the Capitol we would be doing the same activity among schools and public establishments," Gutierrez stressed. (IOF)
