During the day, the Cell Broadcast procedure, integrated into the Alerta RD system, was also tested for the first time. This allowed emergency messages to be sent simultaneously to cell phones located in a specific geographic area
SANTO DOMINGO. This Tuesday, September 8, companies, institutions, and the general public participated in the 2026 National Earthquake Drill, during which they put into practice their prevention and evacuation protocols to protect employees, clients, visitors, and citizens in the event of a seismic emergency.
The exercise was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and included different phases, from the initial response to the earthquake to the orderly evacuation and the control of attendance in a safe zone.
In that regard, each company, organization, and citizen registered in the Emergency Operations Center (COE) volunteer registry for this sixth drill was given a series of measures and steps to follow during and after the simulation, including:
1. Alert: Drop, cover, and hold on
Upon hearing the whistles or receiving the mass notification from the Alerta-RD on mobile phones, staff were instructed to remain calm and immediately suspend their activities.
During this first stage, people were instructed to position themselves under their desks or next to a sturdy structural column, avoiding running, shouting, or creating panic situations.
The protocol also stipulated that personal belongings, laptops, or other objects should not be collected during the initial impact.
2. Staged evacuation by levels
Once the main alarm signal ended or when the evacuation leader indicated the evacuation, the exit from the building should be carried out in a staggered manner to avoid crowding on the stairs.
On the first level, considered of immediate priority, employees had to move in an orderly fashion towards the stairs and then proceed to the main exit, taking care not to obstruct the flow of those descending from the upper floors.
The second level would have an intermediate priority and should begin the descent continuously down the emergency stairs.
Meanwhile, the third floor would carry out the exit successively, following the instructions of the security personnel and maintaining order during the movement.
3. Elevators prohibited during evacuation
One of the main provisions of the protocol was the prohibition of the use of elevators during the evacuation process.
Participants were required to use only the fixed pedestrian stairs and advance at a brisk and steady pace, without running or pushing.
It was also recommended to keep hands free and only carry a cell phone when necessary for emergency situations.
4. Customers and visitors also had to be evacuated
The protocol included external people who were inside the facilities at the time of the drill.
If accompanied by a customer or visitor, the employee should guide them and ensure they join the appropriate line, preventing them from becoming separated from the group.
The aim was for all people present in the building to be led to the established point in an organized manner.
5. Meeting point for the count
After leaving the building, all personnel were to go directly to the official meeting point, located in the parking lot on Sarasota Avenue, in front of the Farmaconal establishment.
In this area, participants had to remain grouped according to the floor and operational department to which they belonged.
This organization would allow those in charge to take attendance and verify that all employees had left the building.
6. Prevention as the focus of the drill
The exercise aimed to strengthen companies' response capacity to a potential earthquake, through the application of previously established procedures to reduce risks during an emergency.
The organized participation of employees, clients, and visitors would allow for testing the alert, evacuation, coordination, and attendance control mechanisms, which are fundamental elements for proper security management in corporate buildings.
What did the drill consist of?
The drill allowed institutions, businesses, families, and citizens to practice response and evacuation protocols in the event of an earthquake. Participants had to remain calm, identify exit routes, and move to pre-established safe zones.
Was the Cell Broadcast system tested?
During the day, the Cell Broadcast procedure , integrated into the Alerta RD system, was also tested for the first time, allowing emergency messages to be sent simultaneously to cell phones located in a specific geographic area.
What were you trying to evaluate?
The simulation allowed us to verify the response capacity of the different sectors to a seismic event, as well as detect aspects that required strengthening in the emergency, evacuation and coordination plans.
Participation of institutions and families
Businesses, schools, institutions, and families were able to voluntarily participate in the exercise through the registration system provided by the COE (), with the aim of receiving guidance and implementing the established recommendations. Additionally, the system used during the exercise allowed for the issuance of mass alerts accompanied by an alarm sound, as part of the testing designed to verify its functionality for future emergency situations.
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