NARRATIVE AND PICTORIAL REPORTS ON THE SCHOOLBASED FIRE DRILL

I.

INTRODUCTION AND DRILL SCENARIO

In line with the campaign to be safe of the National Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC empowered by the
Department of Education, Sta. Anastacia Elementary School conducted its
quarterly earthquake drill in the school campus last March 9, 2016 at
exactly 8 oclock in the morning. Mr. Joseph Medalla, a representative of
NDRRMC and other fire volunteers led the activity with all the teachers
and their respective classes. The drill was carried out simultaneously and
smoothly. All the students occupied their designated areas based on the
school evacuation plan.
Before the conduct of the earthquake drill, Mr. Medalla instructed all
the pupils and teachers of what to do in case fire occurs. On March 9,
during the morning break, a siren sound blurted for one minute and it
motivated everyone to be alert and awake. They were grouped according
to their respective grade levels. In addition, all the advisers counted their
students to make sure that they are safe.
On the other hand, the school head discussed another measure to
be safe by accomplishing the Family Preparedness Questionnaires. It was
successfully accomplished by the learners and their families with the
proper encouragement of all the teachers.
II. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED PRIOR TO THE CONDUCT ON FIRE DRILL
Some of the activities held prior to the conduct of the quarterly
earthquake drill are as follows:
A. Constant reminders given by the school principal on the safety
precautions and measures in case of disasters like earthquakes and
fire;

B. Classroom discussions and simulation of the dos and donts during

an earthquake or fire ;
C. Class demonstrations of repairing the earthquake survival kit,
performing duck, cover, and hold and applying first aid treatment;
and
D. Class orientation on the school evacuation plan and the schools
safe and danger zones during an earthquake and fire.
III. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED
A. Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of
Municipality of Sto. Tomas
B. Engineering Department, Municipality of Sto. Tomas
C. Municipal Health Office, Municipality of Sto. Tomas
D. Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipality of Sto. Tomas
IV. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
Based on the observation during and after the drill, the following
problems were encountered:
A. Though the pupils were properly oriented, there were still some of
them who did not take the drill seriously;
B. There were some pupils who were seen disoriented and werent able
to go immediately in their assigned queues; and
C. Some classes went out of their respective classrooms a bit later
after the siren was sounded.
V. HOW THE SCHOOL ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM
After seeing the aforementioned problems, Dr. Elena De Torres, Mr.
Joseph Medalla and other fire fighters gave a post drill activity to reorient
the pupils with the proper way of behaving during the drill. They also
gave some warnings and reminders in case the real scenario happens.
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the overall performance of the Schools Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Committee, the following recommendations
are hereby given:
A. Some possible falling debris like rusty roofs and dilapidated ceilings
in some buildings of the school must be repaired;
B. Some classrooms must remove their cupboards or bookshelves that
are placed above the pupils desk;
C. Ceiling fans and fluorescent lamps must be inspected if they are still
heavily screwed or intact; and
D. All classrooms must have a poster regarding Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management and must be placed in a conspicuous area.