As many as 300 students, teachers and staffs of SMPN 50 Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, participated the earthquake handling training held by Jakarta Regional Disaster Handling Agency (BPBD).

to mitigate potential disasters in the school environment

BPBD's Sub-group of Preparedness Matters Head, Embai Suhaini, said the training is part of providing disaster-safe education unit (SPAB). The training was held from Wednesday (9/18) to Thursday (9/19).

"The activity aims to mitigate potential disasters in the school environment," Embai said, Thursday (9/19).

Embai added that students were taught the process of protecting themselves using the available media in the classroom until they evacuate to a determined safe point.

Then teachers and school staff were trained about evacuation management, starting from directing routes, forming lines at evaluation point, treating injured victims, helping children with special needs and determining further mitigation steps.

"We also educate teachers to map potential disasters that are prone to occur and prepare SOPs for handling management," Embai added.

The training, Embai continued, also cooperated with United States Agency for International Development - Urban Communities for Resilient Action (USAID KUAT) and Jakarta Disaster Risk Reduction Forum.

USAID KUAT Project Director Bill Marsden said that collaboration and commitment from various parties are needed to improve school preparedness in facing earthquakes. So that it can minimize the potential for casualties and greater losses.

"This training should be held once in a year," he said.

The training at the school is accompanied by an Instagram competition on how to take shelter during an earthquake that can be participated by students and the general public. This competition can be accessed via bit.ly/kompetisireelsgempa.

SMPN 50 Headmaster, Syamsul Hadri, stated his side is about to hold routine training once in a month after this.

"We also involved six blind students in the training," he stated.