STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN EARTHQUAKE DRILLS
MONTEGO BAY, January 20 (JIS): BY: OKOYE HENRY
Students from across St. Elizabeth have the information and confidence to face an earthquake, as they participated in a series of earthquake drills, which tested their readiness for the natural disaster.
The exercises formed part of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Earthquake Awareness Campaign, with Wednesday, January 15, designated as Earthquake Awareness Day in Schools.
Eight-year-old Demar Cunningham, like his fellow schoolmates, demonstrated the “drop, cover and hold on” technique in his classroom at Burnt Savannah Primary School on the day.
He noted the importance of the technique, as “you can get [hurt] by anything falling”.
Moreover, evacuating to an assembly point in an open area is crucial, said Demar, who said that the safety measures taught at school could easily be applied at home to further drive home the value of these exercises in everyday life.
The practical aspect of the drills also left a lasting impression on Demar’s peer, Roannsiya Samuels. She recounted how the school conducted a headcount after the students gathered in the playfield to ensure everyone was present.
“Thanks to those who came out here today for the demonstration,” she said.
At Newcombe Valley Primary School, grade-five student, Kimanique Campbell, had a clear understanding of the safety procedures. With the crucial safety practices embedded in her young mind, she along with her peers were able to demonstrate how these drills are to be executed in the school.
“It is important to know about earthquakes because it will keep us safe,” the student noted.
“I learned how to evacuate from [the classroom], but when I first hear the earthquake alarm, I know to drop, cover and hold on. You continue this until you hear another alarm, and then you will evacuate the classroom and come to the assembly point,” she added.
For Schoolfield Primary and Infant School, the students expressed gratitude for the earthquake drill. In fact, grade-two student, Omando Forbes, said that he “wants to say thanks to all the persons that came here today. I learned a lot”.
The initiative in the parish involved multiple stakeholders, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade and St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, among other stakeholders who contributed to the day’s success.
According to Parish Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Ornella Lewis, earthquakes happen throughout the year, and as such, schools, businesses and communities need to keep abreast of safety protocols to prepare for the unpredictability of such events.
Jamaica experienced 663 earthquakes last year, with 19 being felt. These statistics underscore the importance of these drills in Jamaica where earthquakes are an ever-present threat.
Today, we have two teams that were dispatched across the parish of St Elizabeth. Today, we started off with HEART’s South West TVET Institute based in Black River and we also went to Lacovia Primary and Infant School and Glen Stuart Primary and Infant School,” Ms. Lewis outlined.
“We have other schools that participated in the activity today, with some opted for self-evaluation, whilst others would have opted for the external evaluations,” she added.
Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) District Officer in Fire Prevention, Sheryl Walters, while praising the overall response of schools in the parish, pointed out that there are areas that need improvement.
Many of the schools are lacking in their alarm systems, which mostly have one alarm system used for fire drills. This creates confusion among students and staff members, who may just have seconds to make life-saving decisions.
“So, recommendations were made to the principals of these schools,” Ms. Walters pointed out.
“Also, I hope that different stakeholders would have seen these activities today and give assistance where necessary. The JFB will continue to sensitise students and the public about the different alarms, disasters and response they should take in the event of an emergency,” she added.
Earthquake drills are promoted in schools, businesses, and other locations throughout the month of January each year.
