BukSU Tests Emergency Response Protocols in Simulated Earthquake and Fire Drill

Bukidnon State University (BukSU) conducted a virtual tabletop exercise simulating an earthquake followed by a fire scenario to assess the university’s disaster preparedness in managing emergency situations on October 8, 2024.

The exercise involved university officials serving as members of the Incident Management Team and officers of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), with each official assigned specific roles to respond effectively to the simulated crisis. Participants addressed the immediate aftermath of an earthquake and a subsequent fire outbreak at the BukSU hotel. The IMT was tasked with making real-time decisions regarding evacuation, fire containment, and coordination with external emergency responders.

“The exercise is to provide the university administrators, staff, and the local emergency response team an opportunity to collaboratively test and validate the existing protocols, procedures, and response strategies. This exercise focuses on assessing command control and coordination mechanisms and the incident command system during a complex emergency scenario,” said Mr. Rhondell M. Paraiso, Head of BukSU’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit (DRRMU).

The virtual tabletop format allowed detailed walkthroughs of the crisis scenarios without requiring physical presence. This approach facilitated focused discussions on decision-making processes, communication flow, and the roles of each team member during the response.

“This exercise is designed not just to test our plans on paper but to simulate real situations in which quick decisions and clear communication could mean the difference between chaos and order,” remarked Mr. Dante S. Victorial, Jr., the Vice President for Administration and Finance, who served as the designated Incident Commander during emergency situations.

Representatives from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection closely monitored the event as observers. At the end of the exercise, they provided valuable feedback and suggestions to further enhance the university’s emergency response strategies. (Dr. Joanna Ruth S. Paloma, Faculty Member and IU Management Staff Head)