SWOT analysis of an Earthquake mock drill: A case study

Abstract

Introduction: Chandigarh, also called city beautiful, located at the foot hills of great Himalayas lies in the high earthquake prone zone (Zone IV). Since historical times the area has experienced many quakes of magnitude 6 and above and is vulnerable in future. Thus, the present study exercise was done in one of the multispecialty tertiary level hospital of North India to evaluate a hospital preparedness to overcome any disaster. Methodology: To conduct the drill, administrative block of the hospital was specifically chosen. Mock drill was executed in three phases viz. Pre disaster briefing, Emergency response practice and Post disaster evaluation. One day before prior to the drill, the whole staff was familiarized with preparedness plans and expectations. Results: On the day of drill, warning siren was activated in the morning (10:32 AM) for one minute simulating period of shaking. Whole staff quickly left their chairs, hid under their tables or safer places. After one minute time, siren was put off; rest of the stuck staff ran out and moved away from building to the evacuation place. Within minutes rescue teams (police control vans, fire fighting vehicles and ambulances) arrived. Whole area was cordoned off immediately. They rescued out the injured ones and ambulances shifted them to the hospital. Fire fighting tenders put off the fire in one of the engulfed in fire. Electric supply of the whole block was cut off. Critical patients were given first aid at the site and later were shifted to hospital for further management. In a three hours exercise, a total of fifteen injured were rescued. In the Post Disaster evaluation roles and responsibilities and feedback was taken from staff. Measures were started to plug the gaps found in the exercise. Conclusion: Though, it is a first such drill conducted in a Hospital scenario in the region, such drills need to be conducted regularly based on an all-hazards approach and involving patients from patient care areas also.