Drop, Cover and Hold - the Metro Shake Drill

It was  the first ever in the Philippines. The Metro Shake Drill was organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority to raise awareness on how to prepare for and how to react in case a 7.2 magnitude earthquake happens.  This was done in anticipation of the predicted earthquake from the East Valley and West Valley faults (so called, the next Big One).

In Makati, where I work, our office was given an orientation on what to do, before, during and after the earthquake- and the importance of having an emergency action plan.  

We were oriented about the drill, which was set last July 30. For the drill, we were divided into 2 groups- one will get out from the back door, the other from the front door.  Dividing into 2 groups will also make it easier for us to account for each other.

And so in July 30, there was a siren -and we had to drop , cover (position self under the table), and hold for 45 seconds (which is the time expected for the earthquake to last).  After that, we are to get out of the building- with our bug-out bags covering our head- and proceed to Legaspi Park, which is the place where the MMDA will position a first aid team, in our area. Our office is in the ground floor so we were out of the building in 10 seconds (so I am thinking now...should I wait after 45 minutes before going out of the building...or should i just go for it knowing that I'll be out within 10 seconds...just a thought...)

In the park, we had to meet with the staffs of our Philippine coutry office. And this will be where our emergency preparedness plan will become handy (what to do when the park becomes an evacuation camp, who will do what- who will administer first aid, who will account for the staffs, who will bring the seriously injured to Villamor Airbase where the doctors and medical facilities will be , and so on.)

During the metro shake drill @ Legaspi Park, Makati

My colleagues from our other office  

Many companies participated in the drill.  And it was done in a very organized manner. But a drill is under a controlled environment - I am sure it wont be like that during the real thing. But at least, it did make us more prepared.  But I hope and pray it wont happpen in my lifetime-or in my nephew's and niece's lifetime.