PUBLIC and private schools in coastal areas on Tuesday tested their tsunami readiness and response plan with the support of government emergency management agencies.
About 5,000 students, teachers, and staff from nine public and two private schools participated in the tsunami drill that involved various evacuation routes and designated evacuation sites or safe zones.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Public Safety and CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management assisted in the execution of the tsunami readiness and response plan.
The participating schools were William S. Reyes Elementary School, Chalan Kanoa Head Start/Early Head Start Center, Oleai Elementary School, Oleai Head Start, Marianas High School, Susupe Early Head Start, Garapan Elementary School, Tanapag Middle School, Tanapag Head Start/Early Head Start, Mount Carmel School and Saipan Seventh-day Adventist School.
Saipan Community School will hold its own tsunami preparedness drill with the support of PSS and in partnership with government agencies, SCS Principal Amanda June Allen Dunn said.
Communication is key
During the drill on Tuesday, a “well-developed communication plan for all stakeholders involved was key,” according to Anthony Frank, project director for the Public School System’s Grants for School Emergency Management which oversaw the planning and execution of the drill.
“Under the leadership of and with the support from our Commissioner of Education (Dr. Alfred B. Ada), our tsunami drill was a success for the most part,” he said.
“The results are far above my expectations: seeing toddlers walking up the hill with a smile brought tears to my eyes. The success of this drill was because of a supportive leadership, collaboration between PSS school leaders and staff, private school representatives, DFEMS, DPS and HSEM support and community volunteers. Our next challenge now as part of our emergency preparedness initiative is to work on family reunification.”
On Tuesday, due to different locations and the distance of the safe zones, the response time of each school varied.
But “everybody was surprised that it went well,” Frank said. “Why? Because communication played a big part — we were all able to coordinate.”
Actual drill
In a separate interview, Mount Carmel School President Frances T. Taimanao credited PSS for continually supporting the private school community in the CNMI.
“It’s [also] about time that we had an actual drill because being located near the shoreline we need to have a plan in the event of a natural disaster, especially a tsunami. Having that drill gave us the experience, and we learned what we needed to do and what to improve in our current plan,” Taimanao said.
The drill provided MCS students and staff “hands-on, real-life experience” with evacuation procedures and protocols, she added.
Over 400 MCS students participated in the drill. They reached their designated evacuation safe zone — the former Ladera International School of Saipan — in 28 minutes.
“When the tsunami bell rang at 9 a.m., it took only three minutes for MCS students and staff to exit the campus,” Taimanao said.
“Overall we did pretty well,” she added. MCS “truly appreciates PSS for continuously involving us and all of the private schools. PSS not only helps us with federal funds to improve student learning, but also with safety, disaster and emergency readiness.”
In a separate interview, Saipan Community School Principal Dunn said they are now working with PSS for their tsunami drill.
“We are very appreciative of Mr. Frank and his eagerness in assisting us to improve our emergency procedures for the safety of our children,” Dunn said.
She added that her “students have lots of questions which show eagerness to participate.”
“We really appreciate the partnership we have with PSS and we are very happy that we are working with them in improving our emergency and disaster, security/active shooter and earthquake plans,” Dunn said.
“I was really happy to see Commissioner Ada personally coming to see us in our school, making a point to talk to us personally on the importance of this joint PSS-private school drill. He really made sure that this is not just a courtesy email but a genuine collaboration.”
SCS has over 200 students.
Community support
Tanapag Middle School safely evacuated its 308 students, including Head Start/Early Head Start children, in “under 10 minutes,” according to Principal Hilda Rios.
“What was wonderful is that we have community support. We saw community members by the roadside helping each other and making sure we reach our evacuation zone,” Rios said.
TMS’ evacuation site was the Camacho residence compound. “Overall there was great collaboration with all different agencies and our community,” Rios added.
Oleai Elementary School Principal Jasylene Parico said their students, staff and parents “did well on the day of the tsunami drill.”
“We did the best we could to prepare our students and staff,” she added. “Our parents also gave us the needed support and we are just thankful that everyone was on board.”
It took OES around 40 minutes to reach their evacuation site which was YCO Do It Hardware in As Terlaje.
“The safety of everybody is always important, and even during drills, we have to make sure that we provide all forms of assistance,” Parico said. “It also shows that our families take this drill seriously and that they want their children prepared and we are thankful for that.”
Oleai Elementary School students, from kindergarten to 5th grade, participate in the tsunami response drill on Tuesday.
Garapan Elementary School personnel and students are ready to execute their school’s evacuation plan.
GES students are escorted by PSS personnel and other local authorities to the CHCC parking lot, their designated evacuation zone.
At the Head Start/Early Head Start Center in Tanapag, a PSS van evacuates students with special needs with the support of school and Office of Pupil Transportation personnel.
With OES personnel, students head to their designated evacuation zone on As Terlaje hill.
OES students follow their designated evacuation route with the guidance of school and PSS central office personnel.
Oleai Elementary School students participate in the tsunami drill.
Marianas High School students proceed to their designated evacuation zone, the As Terlaje campus of Northern Marianas College.
Tanapag Head Start/Early Head Start children are escorted by their teachers.
Garapan Elementary School students are transported by the PSS Office of Pupil Transportation following the tsunami drill.
GES students are excited to participate in the drill.
William S. Reyes Elementary School students are evacuated by school personnel with the assistance of DPS.
WSR personnel and students are headed to their designated evacuation zone, the Office of the Saipan Mayor’s As Perdido Animal Shelter.
WSR Elementary School students cross and intersection on their way to As Perdido.
PSS and Marianas High School team members gather for a photo.
WSR Elementary School students head to As Perdido area while escorted by school personnel.
DPS, DFEMS, HSEM, and PSS buses provided support during the tsunami drill.
