The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday, May 8, conducted an "Earthquake Simulation Mass Casualty Exercise," in preparation for the "The Big One."
According to the PRC, the scenario of the simulation aimed to replicate a mall in Marikina City since this is among the cities that West Valley Fault traversed.
The said activity reenacted the effects of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, during which rescuers recovered 32 people from the danger area in less than 30 minutes.
The victims, portrayed by PRC volunteers, were then transferred to different tents: treatment area triads for volunteers with minor injuries and emergency field hospitals for severe cases.
The said simulation is part of the celebration of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent (WRCRC) Day.
The organization emphasized that the preparedness training, held outside the PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong, is just the beginning of more similar activities in the future.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the activity, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard "Dick" Gordon highlighted the readiness of PRC volunteers during natural or manmade disasters, including war.
"Yung two million volunteers are divided into volunteers that will report kung ano nangyari (the 2 million volunteers are divided into volunteers who will report what happened)," Gordon said.
"If there's a fire. We need firefighters. Just report to the operation center, and then we will quickly coordinate the assistance needed," he explained in a mix of English and Filipino.