INTERNATIONAL DISASTER SPECIALIST APPLAUDS CATSU QUAKE DRILL: Perfect – Nobody Got Hurt
SETTING AND INFRASTRUCTURE (SI)“I think it’s perfect since nobody got hurt. Today was an excellent job,” expressed by Mr. Andrew Hoar, an international disaster specialist who personally observed the earthquake drill featuring simulated emergency scenarios, which was hosted by Catanduanes State University on Thursday afternoon, March 13, in collaboration with various law enforcement and disaster response agencies. Hoar emphasized that safety is a key component of any disaster response, and suggested minor improvements, such as avoiding speeding and backing up vehicles onsite since during the simulation, emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, responded promptly to conduct high-angle operations and extinguish a simulated fire at the university gymnasium. The 1st Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) simulated an 8.1 magnitude quake, where at 3:00 PM, a loud siren prompted CatSU employees and students to evacuate their classrooms and offices and head to designated safe areas. Other disaster response officials also provided feedback, applauding the quick response of the rescue teams and praising the inter-agency cooperation. They looked forward to more drills and training to continue improving the disaster preparedness of all involved. During the exercise, the CatSU community, led by Officer-in-Charge Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., witnessed simulated fires, search and rescue operations, and a rescue where a victim was lifted using a makeshift zipline from the top of a university building to the flagpole. Vice President for Administrative Affairs Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda expressed his gratitude and commendation to the responders, led by the director of simulation, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Luis P. Surtida Jr., for successfully conducting the earthquake drill with multiple emergency scenarios. Other participating agencies included the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Virac, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, Philippine Red Cross, CatSU Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Provincial Engineering Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Provincial Health Office, among others.
