Earthquake safety training needed for public, schools
KOTA KINABALU: There is a need for the government to prepare the people on how to get ready for and react during an earthquake, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
The preparation and response must also be taught to school children, he said when met after officiating at SMK Tebobon’s Parent-Teacher Association’s (PTA) annual general meeting yesterday.
Earthquake is a phenomenon that Sabahans must accept as part of their lives now, especially for those residing near and around Mount Kinabalu, including in Kota Belud.
“So we have to be prepared. In the past it may never crossed our minds about early preparation and how to react when an earthquake occurs. I have experienced earthquake(s) when I was studying in California, USA.
“All new intakes at the university there will be asked if they know what to do during an earthquake. We were taught how to seek out the strongest structure in a house and take shelter under it, usually it is the door frame.
“So maybe it is time for the government to start an education or awareness program for the public so that people know what to do during an earthquake. They must be prepared. This is not an isolated incident, it is going to happen, it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ so we have to be prepared, mentally, physically and emotionally. Early preparations must be done, and this includes by the government,” stressed Abdul Rahman who is also the Kota Belud member of parliament.
The government and district natural disaster committees can no longer just prepare for flooding, he added.
Abdul Rahman said that when he was the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, he had instructed the Fire and Rescue Services Department to include what to do in the instance of an earthquake in their briefing at schools.
They (Fire and Rescue Services Department) must include the module of how to react in an earthquake in their curriculum when they do their fire prevention talks in schools, he said.
Hopefully the government can see the necessity to come up with such a module for the public. This will ensure that they know what to do when faced with such a situation, Abdul Rahman said, adding that the District Office of earthquake-prone areas must do this.
“In Japan when an earthquake occurs, the villagers involved, after gathering at the assembly point all know their own duties and responsibilities. They have been trained,” he said and stressed that the local authorities, NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) and all relevant authorities must be prepared (as) earthquakes will happen sooner and more frequent.
When asked if there were any structural damages in Kota Belud after the 5.2 magnitude earthquake on Thursday night, Abdul Rahman said that the District Office was still doing its assessment and investigation.
“They will give their report once all information is collected but we will stand by the people of Kota Belud. If there is need to repair what is needed now, we will channel the assistance.
“So far there is no loss of lives, no major structural damage that is visible but of course we need to check public buildings, especially schools as there may be damages that are not visible to the naked eyes as we do not want any untoward incidents occurring,” he said.