How to Prepare for the Rescheduled Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that the 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) for CY 2024 has been rescheduled from March 14, 2024, 9:00 AM to March 25, 2024, 9:00 AM. This is in accordance with the NDRRMC Memorandum No. 020, s. 2024, which states that the NSED will be conducted on the last Thursday of every quarter, unless otherwise advised.

The NSED is a quarterly activity that aims to enhance the preparedness and awareness of students, teachers, and school personnel on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. It also serves as a test of the school’s contingency plans and protocols in case of an actual earthquake.

To ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the NSED, DepEd has issued some guidelines and reminders for all schools:

Schools are advised to conduct the NSED on March 25, 2024, 9:00 AM, or on March 22, 2024, or March 27, 2024, depending on the schedule of the 3rd Quarter Examinations. Schools should coordinate with their respective Regional DRRM Coordinators on the final date and time of their NSED.
Schools should review and update their School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Plans and Emergency Response Procedures, and orient all students, teachers, and school personnel on their roles and responsibilities during the NSED.
Schools should conduct a pre-drill briefing and orientation for all participants at least a day before the NSED. The briefing should include the objectives, scenario, and expected outputs of the NSED, as well as the proper execution of the “duck, cover, and hold” technique and the evacuation procedures.
Schools should prepare and secure the necessary equipment and materials for the NSED, such as sirens, megaphones, whistles, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and communication devices. Schools should also designate a safe assembly area and a command post for the NSED.
Schools should ensure that all participants wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring their personal protective equipment, such as helmets, masks, gloves, and goggles, if available. Schools should also remind participants to bring their own water bottles and snacks, and to avoid bringing valuables and unnecessary items during the NSED.
Schools should conduct the NSED in accordance with the standard procedures and guidelines provided by DepEd and NDRRMC. Schools should simulate the occurrence of an earthquake, and execute the “duck, cover, and hold” technique, followed by the orderly evacuation to the safe assembly area. Schools should also conduct a headcount, a damage and injury assessment, and a post-drill debriefing and evaluation after the NSED.
Schools should document and report the results and outputs of the NSED to their respective Regional DRRM Coordinators, using the prescribed forms and templates. Schools should submit their NSED reports and photo documentation to the DRRMS via email at drrmoa@deped.gov.ph, copy furnished to their respective Regional Directors, not later than fifteen (15) working days after the schedule of the quarterly NSED. For the 1st Quarter NSED, Regional Coordinators are to submit their consolidated Regional NSED Reports on or before April 22, 2024, 05:00 PM.

To help schools prepare and conduct the NSED, DepEd has also provided various Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign materials, such as posters, flyers, videos, and infographics, which can be accessed through this link: http://tinyurl.com/DepEdNSED2024.

For further information, schools may contact the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 2nd Floor, Mabini Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at drrms@deped.gov.ph.

The NSED is a vital activity that aims to promote a culture of safety and resilience among the school community. By participating in the NSED, schools can demonstrate their commitment and readiness to face and overcome any disaster that may strike. Let us all join and support the NSED, and together, we can make our schools safer and stronger.

READ THE DEPED ADISORY FROM THE OFFICE OF THE UNDERSECRETARY