OML Center: Beware or Be +Aware: Disaster ChallengThe OML Center recently put a spin on the usual Walk the Talk agenda.

Together with hosts First Philippine Holdings Corporation, First Philippine Realty Corporation, First Philec and Third Generation Holdings Corporation, the center launched the Beware or Be +Aware: Disaster Challenge, a set of quizzical activities meant to challenge one’s awareness of and preparedness for disasters.

About 200 walkers in 40 teams participated in the challenge. They were made to think about the disaster and three types of responses recommended: preparedness, coping and adaptation.

Fire

The activity on preparedness for fires challenged participants to know the emergency numbers of the Philippine Red Cross, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police.

The activity on coping encouraged them to try handling a fire extinguisher onsite.

For long-term adaptation strategies, unplugging appliances is a highly recommended practice. You not only prevent fires, you actually save on electricity.

The team that got the highest score for the fire challenge was a group from Asian Eye Institute.

Typhoons To better prepare for typhoons, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the rainfall warning advisory of Pagasa.

In flooding situations where there is danger of being submerged in water, items that may help you keep afloat include empty plastic water bottles and food containers. It is most effective if you can tie them up or stuff them into a backpack.

The “everyday carry” or EDC habit can be applied not only to typhoons but to any disaster situation. The top five items you should consider always having in your bag are a whistle, flashlight, water, first aid kit and biscuits.

Getting the highest score for the typhoon challenge was the family of Ronald Galicia of Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

The Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response unitEarthquake

To prepare for an earthquake, familiarize yourself with your surroundings so you know the safe places. In the bedroom, spots beside the bed and under the TV stand are generally safe; in open spaces if you are in the garden; and under the desks if you are in the office.

The Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response unit of EDC headed by Dr. Ted Esguerra recommends keeping your hands free to grab hold of objects or structures that can help you keep your balance during an earthquake.

For the adaptation activity, the questions were fairly easy, but some were not able to follow instructions: “cross out the wrong answer.” When in stressful situations, stay alert!

For the challenge, the team from ABS-CBN got the highest score.

The last activity asked participants to assemble a virtual go bag. Using the points they earned from the previous questions, they selected photos of items (which were given point equivalents) that should go into a go bag.

The best-assembled go bag was by a group from First Balfour, whose members took into consideration the number of individuals on the team. As a result, their go bag included four flashlights, four bottles of water, four first aid kits and two whistles—which also happened to be top priority items.

The other Beware or Be +Aware winners were First Balfour for receiving the highest points, and Adtel for being the first team to submit their answers.

All the winners received a paracord bracelet. (OML Center)