Students at Holy Cross College may not be physically present on campus due while distance learning is in effect, but the school with a heart still wants to make sure its students are safe in their homes. For this reason, the Safety and Protection Division organized a webinar on Earthquake Preparedness and Fire Prevention.
On September 16, students from the Integrated Basic Education Department through the College department participated in the online seminar on emergency preparedness.
Opening the webinar, HCC president Atty. Dennis C. Pangan said he hoped students and employees will keep the tips in mind because emergency situations are unpredictable, hence the saying: prevention is better than cure.
The president also commended the Safety and Protection Division, headed by Jeffrey Lansangan, for ensuring the security and safety of HCC stakeholders, especially amid the threat of Covid-19.
The school invited Fire Officer (FO2) Moises Pineda of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Sta. Ana, Pampanga to share tips on earthquake and fire preparedness.
FO2 Pineda mentioned the circumstances are different during these times because, with the threat of Covid-19, the public should also keep social distancing in mind during emergency situations. However, the fireman stressed the ideal thing to do is to always be prepared. “Be active, instead of reactive,” he said.
Before and in case of an emergency
The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means there are a number of active volcanoes in the country. As a result, there is always the possibility of an earthquake. So what should we do during earthquakes? Here are some tips from FO2 Pineda.
- When indoors, crouch, cover your head and go under a table or a sturdy surface until the shaking stops.
- When outdoors, avoid high buildings, electric posts and trees.
- When in a vehicle, pull over somewhere safe and stay inside the car. Do not drive on overpasses even when the earthquake has stopped.
- When in a crowded place, crouch and protect your head.
How do we prepare for an earthquake? FO2 Pineda said it’s important to remember these things:
- Check the integrity of the house’s structure to make sure it will not be damaged or cause a lot of damage should an earthquake strike.
- Prepare emergency kits, which include medicines, canned goods, and water that can last for three days.
At times, fire can come after an earthquake, or it can break after a gas leak or an electricity shortage, among other reasons. The first thing to do when a fire starts, FO2 Pineda said, is to immediately contact the fire station. He explained that fire can spread rapidly, so it has to be dealt with by experts as early as possible.
There are also a lot of ways one can do to prevent fire and minimize damage.
- Identify emergency exit points, like doors and windows, and check their accessibility.
- Save emergency numbers on your phones, like 911, the local fire station and the police station.
- Identify an assembly area for the family, in case of fire or other emergencies.
- Create a Facebook or text group chat with neighbors so you can look out for each other, especially during an emergency.
- In case of fire, turn off the main electricity switch, gas and water.
- Make sure the fire extinguisher is accessible. Watch how to use a fire extinguisher here:
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The Safety and Protection Division of the Holy Cross College is under the Student Affairs Department. It is in charge of ensuring the safety and security of students and employees within the HCC grounds.
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