This Monday, November 7, the Third National Multi-Hazard Drill will be held starting at 8 pm under the motto “Organized, we are more prepared.” It will be the third and last of the year organized by the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci), in accordance with the provisions of Ministerial Resolution 013-2022-PCM.
In this note we explain what a Multi-Hazard Drill is, why it will be held this November 7 and if the Sismate alert (Early Warning Messaging System) is scheduled to sound on cell phones:
Why is it called a Multi-Hazard Drill?
Multi-hazard Drill means that each department and province chooses the hazard on which they will practice the response. They can be: earthquake, earthquake followed by tsunami, intense rains and their associated dangers, such as flooding, mudslides, alluvium, landslide, landslides, avalanche, avalanche/alluvium, low temperatures, volcanic activity, spill of dangerous substances and forest fires.
How can we participate?
In this drill, the preparation of families and communities will continue to be promoted, promoting the participation of all people at the national level in their diversity of conditions.
For the drill, the practice of various prevention exercises, such as evacuation to safe areas and assembly points established by regional and local authorities, according to the geography of its jurisdiction, considering the biosecurity measures to guarantee the safety of the population.
To participate, follow these recommendations from Indeci:
Moment 1: listen for the sound of hornsbells or whistles that warn of the start of the drill and represent the occurrence of the earthquake.
Moment 2: locate internal safe zones in case of earthquake, during the first two minutes. Drop and cover to prepare for very strong earthquakes that prevent standing.
Moment 3: exit via evacuation routes to an external safe zone respecting social distance. In the event of a tsunami, for example, evacuate to higher ground.
It is recommended to follow the instructions of authorities or volunteers until the end of the drill.
Will the Sismate alarm sound today?
Before carrying out the drill today, Monday, November 7, the citizens have the expectation to know if the alarm of the Sismate (Early Warning Messaging System), technological tool that allows the sending of alert messages (text, sound, screen illumination and vibration) to all citizens who have a cell phone, through the networks of the different operating companies.
From the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) it was reported that “Sismate will not be part of the drill” this Monday, November 7.
It must be remembered that the Sismate alerts seek, in the future, to warn of the occurrence or confirmation of a disaster hazard such as tsunamis, floods, landslides, landslides and others that occur in various regions of the country.
Early warning messages will be sent as long as Indeci determines the probability of a disaster or its confirmation.
Why will a drill be held on November 7?
The National Multi-Hazard Drill will take place on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 8:00 p.m., since Saturday, November 5, marks World Tsunami Awareness Day, a date instituted by the Assembly General of the United Nations Organization.
