2k plus SM mall goers, employees participate in NSED 2019
SM City Tarlac conducted a “shake drill” activity in line to the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) to heighten the level of preparedness of employees when disaster strikes with the cooperation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) on February 21, 2019 at 2 p.m.
The shake drill was well participated by a total number of 2,155 in SM City Tarlac including employees, affiliates, tenants, customers, and agencies or contractors.
Before the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), all drill signages and paraphernalia were in place, all marshals were in their command posts, the mall PA system started announcing a reminder to tenants and employees regarding the earthquake drill at 12 p.m. and announcement were repeated every 30 minutes. At exactly 2 p.m., ringing of fire alarms was played in the PA system signaling the start of the drill and lasted for 45 seconds. All employees and tenant/ affiliates and even customers performed “duck, cover and hold” position under payment counters, sturdy tables/seats and the like.
The ringing of fire alarms stopped to signal that the shaking has al- ready ended and hence the start of the evacuation. Marshalls led the evacuation of the premises and the assembly at the evacuation areas. Clearing operations were also conducted to ensure nobody was left in the bui lding.
The shake drill highlighted the capability of all SM Supermalls to execute procedures that will address the safety needs of people should a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, occur within its grounds.The shake drills also offer an opportunity to institutionalize the activity to further raise earthquake safety consciousness among the public and develop disaster-resiliency. (Press Release)