EastMinCom participates in National Earthquake Drill

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Personnel and civilian staff of Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) under MGen. Felimon T. Santos, Jr. joined the nationwide simultaneous Earthquake Drill held at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao parade ground at 2:00 PM on February 21, 2018.

Units and offices inside the camp also participated in the said drill.

MGen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) emphasized the importance of the drill to the Command, being the lead agency in Search, Rescue and Retrieval Cluster in the Response Thematic Area of Disaster Management.

"The nationwide drill aims to prepare the Filipinos in responding to earthquakes and other emergencies. For Eastmincom's part, it will enhance the preparation, coordination, and capability of our units in our task as the lead agency in search, rescue and retrieval operations," MGen. Santos Jr. said.

Meanwhile, the exercise which was supervised by the Office of Civil Defense XI goes beyond Duck, Cover and Hold. It had two phases: Phase 1 focused on the immediate action of the Command during and after a disaster. It also includes local evacuation and rescue within the camp.

The second phase focused on the role of EMC in the four regions of Eastern Mindanao particularly Regions X, XI, XII & XIII; simulating the role of the lead agency in Search Rescue and Retrieval.

Phase 2 included the simulation of battle staff action as part of the Command and Control mechanism, integration to the Incident Command System, and Communication Exercise particularly with the operating units in Eastern Mindanao.

Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment was also simulated being the initial reference in the prioritization of assets within the inventory and deployment of troops.

The event was evaluated by an Inter-Agency Team from Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council XI.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP