BATAAN GENERAL HOSPITAL JOINS THE 2ND QUARTER NATIONWIDE SIMULTANEOUS EARTHQUAKE DRILL (NSED) 2016
by Dr. Noel M. Laxamana
HEMS Coordinator
On June 22nd, at around 0830H, the personnel of the Bataan General Hospital participated in the hospital earthquake drill. This is in conjunction with the conduct of the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC.
Prior to the simulation drill, HEMS Coordinator Dr. Noel Laxamana made a kick-off and announced the NSED activity at the Flag-Raising Ceremony held last June 20th. This was immediately followed by the distribution of IEC materials within the hospital premises and pulse announcements through the Public Address System (PA System). The Assistant HEMS Coordinator Ms. Arlene Navarro also took part in promoting the said event.
Thus on Wednesday morning, announcements through the PA system became more frequent, and signaled the commencement of the drill. Fire alarms were activated by the EFMS for about 10 minutes. When the alarms were deactivated, various hospital personnel proceeded to the identified evacuation area (Parking Area in front of the Emergency Room) in a systematic and orderly fashion.
Concurrent with the head-counting of the various hospital personnel, the Triage Team was deployed to the Impact Zone, and was able to identify two red tagged victims. Signals and communication devices were used to deploy the Medical Response Team. The response teams were able to safely extricate the two simulated victims, and were eventually brought to the Treatment Area. The scenario even extended up to Transport of the patient to a capable hospital. The drill was eventually terminated after the completion of the employees’ headcount.
This earthquake drill actually pertains to the implementation and testing of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan for Health (DRRM-H). This is also a mock field exercise in preparation for the Hospital Disaster Drill on July 19th, which will be held at the Parking Area of Bataan General Hospital.