Prepared in Terms of Seminars, and Operation Programs

Seminars and Orientation programs for calamities such as earthquakes and fires are very beneficial to
everyone, most especially to the students. One of the seminar / orientation program that a school may
hold is doing earthquake drills to ensure an immediate and proper response from the people and to see
if they know the basic safety procedures: “Drop, Cover, and Hold”. Russell (2019) stated that emergency
preparedness in schools should always be done every year or every month, most preferably every
month. While small earthquakes might not have much impact on a school, it’s important to take
precautionary measures in case a massive earthquake occurs. In some cases like a fire emergency,
schools should hold fire drills since students are unaware of the things happening outside their
respective classrooms so most likely they are also unaware of the things, the occurrence of a fire for it
may happen at any moment.

School preparedness during earthquakes are very important. Cubero (2016) stated that since the
Philippines frequenty experiences seismic and volcanic tremors because it lies along the Pacific Ring of
Fire. For the academe, it is best to be prepared and ready for all eventualities because no one can
predict when earthquakes would even happen. Schools cannot be closed in advanced due to
earthquakes; neither can the schools suspend classes, like they do whenever there’s a storm warning.
However, with proper training and advance planning, everyone in the school community can be
prepared to react appropriately during and after the occurrence of an earthquake.

In addition to the emergencies / calamaties / catastrophes regarding fires, there’s a need for schools to
make a fire emergency evacuation plan. A fire emergency evacuation plan is a written document which
includes the action to be taken by all staff in the event of a fireWhen maming a fire emergency
evacuation strategy, the schools need to consider how they will arrange the evacuayion of the premises
in the light of their risk assessment and the other fire precautions they have or intend to put in place.
Strategies for evacuation plans, specifically fire emergency evacuation plan, are highly recommended for
schools. Since schools handle hundreds of student, they are responsible for the accidents a student may
experience in the school premises / school campus. The schools should know and let the students know
the identification of key escape routes. In premises where members of the public or persons unfamiliar
with, the layout of the premises are present there should be means available to identify the key escape
routes. The school could include schematic drawings and most importantly emergency escapes and exit
signs (firesafe.org.uk, 2019).

Fire preparedness is very much important to schools. There are different ways to alarm people when
there are fires, fires are mostly caused by faulty electrical wiring / connection, unattended open flames,
and neglected electrical appliances. Installing smoke alarms around the inside of the building. Preparing
fire extinguishers that is hidden from children below 12 years old. Planning the “perfect” evacuation
plan. Turning off gas stoves when not in use. Not smoking indoors to prevent fires and most importantly
leaving lit candles near flammable items (Crank, 2018).

In addition, fire can be prevented by checking all electrical wirings regularly. Installin smoke alarms and
fire extinguishers. Keeping in sight the burning candles and plugged in wirings, and not storing any
flammable substance in/near the kitchen area (Antonio, 2015).