Seaside Primary School Joins National Earthquake Drill Day Activities

Students and staff at Seaside Primary School in Hector’s River, Portland, participated in National School Earthquake Drill Day on Wednesday (January 14), joining schools across Jamaica in simulation exercises designed to strengthen earthquake preparedness and response.

The observance forms part of Earthquake Awareness Week, being marked from January 11 to 17 under the theme ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

At Seaside Primary, students took part in earthquake simulations in their classrooms.

With the sounding of an emergency alarm, they were prompted to practise the internationally recognised safety protocol, ‘Drop, Cover and Hold’.

The procedure requires individuals to drop to their hands and knees, cover their head and neck while sheltering under sturdy furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops.

Following the classroom simulations, students were guided by teachers and other school personnel to a designated assembly point on the school compound, where staff ensured all students were accounted for, reinforcing the importance of organisation and accountability during emergencies.

Principal Adli Lewis said the exercise was part of a broader effort to raise awareness and ensure both students and staff know how to respond in the event of a real earthquake.

“As we commemorate and raise earthquake awareness, as we go through the string of activities that are planned today, our school embarked on the usual earthquake drill that enables persons on the school compound to know what to do in the event of an earthquake,” Mr. Lewis explained.

“We are observing these activities under the theme ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’.” This will increase public awareness, particularly among our students… and we also want it to filter down into the wider community as we share clips and safety tips with our Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) group,” he added.

Lewis noted that the importance of preparedness was reinforced by Jamaica’s recent experience with seismic activity.

“The very obvious reason is that we are preparing for the eventuality of an earthquake, and we would have had the experience two years ago of being in this space – at school – and experience a 6.5 magnitude earthquake,” he said, noting that while shaken emotionally they did not suffer any major damage.

“The experience in and of itself teaches us that we must be resilient and we must be ready, being ready for the eventuality of an earthquake is something that we must have our stakeholders prepare for.”

He also outlined how the drill is conducted using a horn or whistle to avoid confusion during regular school activities.

“We don’t use a bell because the bell signals the end of class and other activities in the school, so we don’t want persons to mistake the alarms for a usual activity or a usual signal,” Lewis explained.

Students welcomed the drill, describing it as informative and reassuring, and expressed increased confidence in knowing how to respond should an earthquake occur during school hours.

During Earthquake Awareness Week, ODPEM is encouraging schools, families and communities to review emergency plans and practise safety procedures that can help save lives during a seismic event.

The schedule of activities included a Business and Workplace Preparedness Day on Thursday (January 15), encouraging organisations to stage drills and host learning sessions to strengthen overall readiness.