SW 2.

2 - NSTP (CWTS)

CASE ANALYSIS: BASIC EARTHQUAKE SAFETY PROCEDURE

I. OBJECTIVES
A. To develop safety awareness among all students in cases of earthquakes.
B. To establish procedures which will govern all actions and activities during the occurrence of
earthquake in order to avoid panic thereby saving lives and minimizing physical injuries to people
and damage to school properties.

II. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EARTHQUAKES

A. Earthquakes are nature‘s way of releasing dangerous strains that accumulate inside the earth‘s
crust.
B. They occur without warning and affect large areas.
C. The initial shock may last a few minutes. It may be followed by aftershocks which are generally
lesser in intensity than the initial shock.
D. Aftershocks may come in rapid succession immediately after the initial shock or may vary from a
few minutes to several hours or days.
E. Dangers from earthquakes are:
1. Collapse of structures
2. Falling objects (pictures, items in cupboards and on shelves, ceiling tiles, fixtures,
furniture, file cabinets, and bookshelves)
3. Swinging doors and broken windows
4. Fire beginning from electrical short circuits or broken gas mains

III. DRILL PROCEDURES

A. TAKE COVER under desk or tables
B. FACE AWAY from windows
C. ASSUME ―CRASH‖ POSITION on knees, head down, hands clasped on back of neck or head
covered with book or jacket
D. COUNT ALOUD to 60 – earthquakes rarely last longer than 60 seconds and counting is calming.

IV. INDIVIDUAL SAFETY MEASURES

A. Pre-select a safe place in your area which you can automatically occupy in case of an
earthquake.
B. Remain calm and don‘t panic.
C. Safety measures when inside a building:
1. Take cover under a heavy piece of furniture like a table or armrest of a classroom chair.
A furniture piece may absorb the shock of falling objects, walls and the like.
2. Do not try to get out of the premises if there is danger of flying debris, falling objects and
high voltage wires.
3. Stay away from electrical fixtures and glass windows.
D. Safety measures when outside the building:
1. Take cover under any strong structure or inside a parked car until tremors subside.
2. Beware of electric wires and posts, trees, street signs and similar structures.
3. Stay away from hanging objects.
E. Safety measures when in the halls, corridors, stairways and other areas where no cover is
available.
 1. Move to an interior wall; kneel with back to wall; place head close to knees; clasp hands
behind neck; and cover side of head with arms.
F. Safety measures when in the laboratories:
1. Extinguish all burners and turn off all equipments, if possible, before taking cover
2. Stay away from hazardous chemicals that may spill.
G. Safety measures when inside a vehicle:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place away from tall structures and stay inside until the tremors
subside.

V. ACTIONS OF THE EMERGENCY TASK FORCE CONTROL GROUP AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK
A. Command Group
1. Make a speedy assessment of the situation and decide whether or not to evacuate the
whole building.
2. If the decision is to evacuate, direct evacuation of the building.
B. Emergency Control Group
1. Take appropriate actions as prescribed plan.
2. Direct group personnel to proceed to the evacuation area with their fire fighting and
special breathing equipment in readiness to participate in:
a. Fire fighting
b. Rescue operations
c. Salvage operations
d. Debris clearing
e. Related activities
C. Evacuation Control Group
1. Direct and supervise evacuation procedures
2. Perform other actions as the Command Group may direct
D. Security and Traffic Control Group
1. Responsible for security of the building and evacuation area
2. Perform traffic control and other functions as the Command Group may direct
E. Medical Aid Group
1. Establish the First Aid Station at the evacuation area
2. Perform other functions as the Command Group may direct

VI. ACTIONS OF THE EMERGENCY DIRECTOR AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

A. Inspect the building and make an estimate of the damage in order to determine the suitability of
the building for further occupancy.
B. After the assessment, direct the return of the employees and students inside the building.
C. If the earthquake resulted to extensive damage and heavy casualties:
1. Direct rescue operations
2. Initiate debris cleaning and salvage operations.