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MAY 2013- A series of rescue operation was carried out by SM City Marilao’s
Emergency Response Group as actual fire, earthquake and evacuation drill was
staged during regular mall hours.
“We
take this exercise seriously that is why we wanted it to be realistic as
possible” on the statement made by Customer Relations Services Manager Jose
Berong during the briefing done before the drill.
Weeks
before the drill, shoppers, employees and tenants were advised of the
simulation to ensure the welfare of each participant. Guaranteeing each and
everyone’s safety, BFP along with Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council of Marilao and mall’s building administrators checked the first aid and
safety equipment, fire exit doors, fire hydrants location and evacuation route
as well as the evacuation area. Seminars
on earthquake as well as fire safety and prevention were likewise taken by the
ERG as a refresher course prior to the drill.
The
actual fire, earthquake and evacuation drill simulation targets to increase and
strengthen mall’s Emergency Response Group (ERG) preparedness, evaluate
response capabilities and improve coordination among the tasked units during
emergency situations.
Challenging
mock-up situations such as traumatized customers covered and injured by falling
debris, tenant employees suffering from burn and head traumas as well as
severely injured victim with fractures were put up to enhance the mall’s
Emergency Response Group (ERG) skills in mobilization, communication and
response, as well as the ability to account for all the people within the affected
premises.
A
mock-up fire scenario also transpired at the entrance of the mall to
demonstrate the different types of fire stream while performing the actual
simulation of suppressing the fire.
After
the drill, Bulacan Provincial BFP, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council of Marilao, Marilao BFP and Barangay Ibayo Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council lauded SM City Marilao for its preparedness and capability
in handling disaster situations. This exercise is observed yearly by the mall
to illustrate and practice the proper response before, during and after these
hazards happen.
