2.

Give specific instructions about what to do as soon as the shaking

Introduction
It is important to orient people on earthquake preparedness
in order to be informed of what to do before, during and after an
earthquake. During an earthquake, school children are one of the most
vulnerable. As such, it is important for school administrators and
teachers to be informed on how to properly conduct an earthquake
drill. Teachers are the ones who will guide the students. They are the
ones who will teach students how to protect themselves. The conduct
of an earthquake drill requires planning and designing of evacuation
procedure, as well as orienting teachers and ultimately students on
how to do the earthquake drill. Earthquake drills are simple and easy to
do. It only requires planning ahead and constant practice!
stops:
 Be alert.
 Listen to teacher’s instructions.
 Walk out of the classroom in an orderly manner.
 While walking along the corridors to the nearest exit of the
building, be alert and look out for falling debri.
 DON’T…Run, DON’T Push, DON’T Talk, DON’T Return, DON’T
bring your things
 Quietly but quickly (brisk walking) proceed to the designated
evacuation area for the class and wait for further
instructions from the teacher.
 NEVER go back to the building once you are outside. Buildings
should be inspected by engineers for possible damage after
an earthquake. Students should stay in the open
area and wait for theirparents/guardians to pick them up.
3. For the teacher, make sure all students are accounted for once in the
designated evacuation area.

STAGE 4
Objectives:
Actual Conduct of Earthquake Drill
1. To ensure the safety of parents, students, teachers and staff during
1. Prior to the scheduled drill, inform the neighborhood regarding the
and after a damaging earthquake;
conduct of the drill.
2. To help school administrators and their disaster action groups to
2. Identify and assign observers for each exit points of the building and
design a specific response plan of the school for
evacuation areas. They will give their comments and
earthquakes;
observations during the evaluation of the drill.
3. To train teachers, school staff and students on how to practice
3. For the Actual Drill:
proper action and response during earthquakes; and
Assumptions:
4. To test various elements of the response plan designed by the
 1-minute strong shaking signified by 1 minute siren/bell
School Disaster Management Committee (SDMC)
 Person cannot stand
 Buildings may have been damaged but no collapse
STAGE 1
 Possible falling objects including glass windows
Planning /Organizing the Earthquake Drill
 No immediate assistance will be available for at least several
hours. Self-help and sustenance are required.
STAGE 2
 Possible injuries, fear, panic among students and teachers
Developing the School
Earthquake Evacuation Plan
PHASES OF AN EARTHQUAKE DRILL
STAGE 3
Phase 1. Alarm
Orientation prior to the conduct of
A pre-arranged signal such as siren/bell should be known to all. During
Earthquake Drill
the drill, the siren/bell indicates earthquake/shaking. Students and
A. Prepare the students a week before the scheduled
teachers will be alerted by this signal.
earthquake drill. For each class, instruct the
homeroom adviser to do the following:
Phase 2. Response
1. Allot a specific time for lecture on earthquakes- what it is, how and
While the siren/bell is ongoing, everyone should move away from
why they occur, what to do before during and after an earthquake.
windows, glass or light fixtures. In this phase, everyone should perform
2. Conduct a classroom observation activity:
“duck, cover and hold” under desks, tables or chairs. Remain in this
• Draw floor plan of classroom (desks, teachers table, cabinets, etc)
position until the “shaking” stops.
• Identify the safe spots in the classroom (tables, desks, doors, etc.)
• Identify danger zones (e.g. windows and glass, book shelves,
Phase 3. Evacuation
machinery, cabinets and furniture that may topple or slide inside
Once the “shaking” stops, teachers and students should evacuate the
the classrooms well as all hanging and heavy objects)
school building and proceed using pre-determined routes to go to
• When dangerous areas within the classroom have been
identified evacuation areas.
identified, ask the students what can be done to correct these
and encourage them to take actions toward correcting this.
Phase 4. Assembly
3. Introduce to the students the suggested evacuation route.
At the designated evacuation area, students must be grouped together
4. Introduce to the students the assigned open area where they will
according to the class where they belong.
evacuate after an earthquake
5. Assign somebody who will be in charge of making sure the door is
Phase 5. Head count
open during the shaking
Teachers should check and make sure all students are accounted for.
B. The main concern during an ongoing shaking is how to protect
Phase 6. Evaluation
oneself.
An evaluation of the drill must be conducted to identify problems
1. Give specific instructions on what to do during an earthquake.
encountered during the drill and how this can be corrected in future
• Introduce drop, cover and hold
earthquake drills.
• Take cover under a sturdy table or strongly supported area.
• Watch out for falling objects.
• Keep calm and don’t panic.