St. Cecilia's Public School
A Report on Mega Mock Drill on Natural Calamity Preparedness
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St. Cecilia’s Public Schoolas a part of a major exercise designed by Delhi Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority carried out a Mock Drill on Natural Calamity Preparedness in the school campus on 16th July, 2013 at 9:30 am. The mock drill was a part of a massive awareness activity to promote disaster management tasks as well as disaster risk reduction in view of the recent tragedy that occurred in the northern part of the nation.
The scenario of the mock drill was regarding the victims who found themselves helpless at the occurence of such an event. The drill on the disaster was proposed, planned and seriously executed by the school authorities. The main focus was laid on Prevention; Mitigation; Preparedness and Response to any sudden disaster.
During the mock drill students were made aware about the methods for personal safety during the occurrence of any disaster. The students were told how to prevent natural hazards from becoming disasters in terms of death, suffering and losses.
The drill started at 9.30a.m, when the emergency siren of the school rang. All the students actively participated by taking shelter under the desk. At the first alarm siren indicating the start of the calamity, staff and students responded immediately by dropping under their desks for cover. They dropped to the ground for a minute. Soon all the students started out from their classrooms covering their heads with their hands and gathered in the school ground. All the teachers then took a roll-call to check if the building had been safely evacuated. The drill was safely conducted within 6 minutes of recorded time. Later, a Nukkad Natak was staged by the students re-dramatizing the agonies, sufferings and needs of the disaster victims.
All the students participated with enthusiasm and vigour. The response to the mock drill was overwhelming as the staff and students exceeded the expectations. The message that a proactive, comprehensive and sustained approach to disaster management reduces detrimental effects of disaster was effectively conveyed to all the students.