SANTO DOMINGO. – The National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie) announced that tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5, at 10:00 a.m., the Great National Earthquake Evacuation Drill will be held throughout the country.
According to a document issued by the institution, the exercise will be carried out under the coordination of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and seeks to test evacuation protocols, measure response times and strengthen preparedness for a possible earthquake.
The drill will be carried out simultaneously in public institutions, private companies, educational centers, community organizations and anyone interested in participating.
According to Leonardo Reyes Madera, general director of Onesvie, these types of exercises allow for the identification of weaknesses in emergency plans, improve internal organization, and foster a culture of prevention. It was also noted that the activity is part of the country's commitments to risk management and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
He pointed out that the Dominican Republic, due to its geographical location, is exposed to considerable seismic risks, which is why the active participation of citizens is considered key to reducing vulnerabilities and avoiding human and material losses.
According to the press release issued by Onesvie, the drill aims to reduce evacuation times, evaluate exit routes, train institutional and community staff, and gather useful information to update existing protocols.
