With the start of rainy season officially declared by state weather bureau PAGASA, SM Malls in Baliwag and Pulilan conducted their respective typhoon and flood drills to intensify preparedness and response skills in the event of storm surge and flash floods.

At SM City Baliwag, a staged sandbagging for flood prevention was conducted at the entrance of the Mall. The drill demonstrated a typhoon crisis scenario accompanied with the sound of heavy rain and wind gust.

Following the typhoon drill is a simulated evacuation with shoppers, tenants, and employees immediately transferred at the Emergency Response Command Center for crowd relocation, first aid, clearing and head count of customers, tenants, employees and utilities.

“With the rainy season underway, it is important that we conduct this typhoon and flood drill to serve as a ground rule on the important guidelines and procedures during and after storm surge and flash floods” shares SM City Baliwag Assistant Mall Manager Rodora Tolentino.

Rescue drill simulations were also conducted to increase and strengthen the mall’s Emergency Response Group (ERG) preparedness and coordination among tasked units. These simulations include carrying out first aid procedures to challenging mock-up situations such as severely injured victim and traumatized customers.

Medical as well as Search & Rescue Team worked hand in hand in giving first aid treatment to mock-up trauma victim at SM Center Pulilan. “The drill is an act of preparation for rainfall events to drive up the mall’s preparedness and ensure public awareness on the proper emergency response when such hazard occur” shares SM Center Pulilan Assistant Mall Manager Apple De Leon.

Aside from simulated Typhoon and Flood Drill, SM City Baliwag, SM City Marilao, SM City San Jose Del Monte as well as SM Center Pulilan also participated at the recent Quarterly National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill Staged at exactly 2 p.m. during regular mall hours. The drill demonstrated various crisis scenarios of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake with first aid procedures for projected situations such as severely injured victims, assisting senior citizens, pregnant woman, and traumatized customers. Also part of the drill’s scope is setting up of Emergency Command Center and communication system.

A series of follow-through earthquake drills will also be carried out on August 8 and November 14 as part of SM Supermalls’ disaster preparedness.