The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, March 9, reminded all public schools to ensure the conduct of unannounced fire and earthquake drills as the country observes Fire Prevention Month this March.
DepEd said that all public schools across the country should hold unannounced fire and earthquake drills every first and third week of the month per DepEd Order 053 series of 2022.
“Together, let us keep our learners, personnel, and schools safe from the harms of fire, earthquakes, and other calamities through effective preparation and simulation exercises,” DepEd said in a statement.
DepEd also encouraged private schools, community learning centers, and state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) to adopt the provisions of the said department order.
To ensure the safety of learners and personnel, DepEd also laid out its school fire safety plan which focuses on identifying and removing fire-related hazards inside the campus.
DepEd also directed schools to ensure that physical fire precautions and management arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of learners as well as teaching and non-teaching personnel.