Earthquake safety drills for schools on January 17

Schools across Jamaica are expected to conduct earthquake safety drills on January 17, which will be observed as Earthquake Awareness Day in schools.

A Ministry of Education and Youth bulletin said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will launch the Earthquake Awareness Campaign Sunday, under the theme 'Drop, Cover, Hold, Earthquake Readiness Is Within Our Control'.

There will also be a series of activities until January 31.

The ministry advised school administrators to use January 17 day to improve their schools' preparedness levels.

The drill will involve employees, teachers and students protecting themselves by using the 'drop, cover and hold on' safety procedure during a simulated earthquake alarm.

Last October, Jamaica was rocked by a 5.6 magnitude quake that was arguably the most significant earthquake to hit the country in the last three decades. 

Several schools and commercial operations were brought to a halt. Many buildings reported cracks while boulders rolled from hillsides to block some roads. 

- JIS 

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