Several people took part in last Thursday’s simultaneous earthquake and fire drill held in all major areas in the country.
Designed to prepare the public on what to do in case “the big one” strikes, people hid under their tables as the imaginary earthquake struck. Everyone then “evacuated” to safer grounds after the “earthquake” stopped.
Judging by the public participation for this event, the earthquake drill was met with some success. What was visibly lacking, however, was the readiness of the participants to evacuate their building by bringing with them their provisions for survival, such as a bug-out bag.
A bug-out bag is an important part of one’s life in times of a huge calamity. We may make it safely out of a damaged building but without emergency provisions, we may just die of starvation, sickness or of exposure to the elements if we are not prepared to deal with it.
Barangays should encourage every home to have a bug-out bag that would provide the basic necessities for each family member for at least three days. Only then could we probably say that we are prepared for the aftermath of a calamity.
From our experience in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental these past few years, disaster preparedness should be serious business.
It’s no rocket science. Being prepared only takes some common sense. You’re either a survivor or a willing victim.
