Advisory on MDH Earthquake Drill and Response Plan

To be announced in the public address system at 8:00 am and 8:30 am on June 20, 2006.

To all our beloved staff, patients, and visitors,

There will be an earthquake drill today, from 9:00 to 9:30 in the morning.

Please bear with us the inconveniences this earthquake drill may cause you.

We are doing this life-protecting drill to make your Manila Doctors Hospital safe in case an earthquake strikes.

Here is what you should do when you are in Manila Doctors Hospital when an earthquake strikes:

Once you feel there is an earthquake, keep calm and do not panic.

In our drill, siren or whistle will be used to signify presence of an earthquake.

Here is a sample of the siren. SIREN………………………………………………………..

Here is a sample of the whistle. WHISTLE…………………………………………………

During the shaking, the general instructions are:

Stay where you are. Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Do not go inside a room, if you are outside. Do not go outside a room if you are inside.

Please instruct and assist persons who do not know what to do and who are disabled.

For specific instructions during the shaking,

If inside the room,

Open the door to prevent possible jamming. You may stand under the door frame.

Move away from windows, glass, light fixtures, bookshelves, or any structure that could fall on you.

“Drop, cover and hold” under sturdy tables if present. Or stand or sit near concrete columns.

Watch out for falling objects.

For bed-ridden patients -

Have a pillow on their heads to protect them from falling objects.

If outside the room, – in the lobby, along a corridor or hallway, on the stairs, etc. -

Stay where you are.  Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place.

Move away from windows, glass, light fixtures, or any structure that could fall on you.

Stand or sit near concrete columns.

Watch out for falling objects

Remain in this position until the “shaking” stops.

If inside the elevators -

Get off at the next floor and follow instructions under “if outside a room”.

After the shaking,

Be alert.

Prepare for possible evacuation.

Listen for evacuation announcement from hospital authority.

Look for indications for evacuation such as:

• Signs of impending fall of debris and structures
• Signs of impending collapse of rooms / buildings
• Strong repeated shocks

Watch out for fire, potential explosion, gas leaks, damage to electrical system, damage to water system.

Report cracks on the wall, danger spots and physical injuries to hospital authority.

If evacuation is needed,

Evacuate the hospital building and go to the nearest identified evacuation areas, which are along the streets of UN Avenue in front of the hospital and TM Kalaw at the back.

DON’T…Run. DON’T Push. AVOID STAMPEDE.

NEVER USE ELEVATORS. Use stairs.

On the way to the nearest exit of the building, look out for falling debris.

For disabled people and patients confined to beds – wait for hospital evacuation teams to assist.

Once you are in the evacuation holding areas,

Stay calm.

Do not panic.

Listen for instructions from hospital authority what to do next.

This ends the advisory on the MDH Earthquake Drill and Response Plan. This advisory is our way of protecting you when you are in MDH during an earthquake.

Thank you very much for your kind attention. This advisory will be repeated at 8:30 am.