All Fired Up!

For the first time, Cradle of Joy has experienced a real fire-------drill.

Believe it or not, this fire drill was very different from the previous ones since it really involved authentic firefighters complete with uniforms and gadgets.  Plus, there were real fire trucks and an ambulance to complete the effect too! As soon as the clock struck 11:15 am on February 12, 2010, which was the synchronized time from the Quezon City Fire Department, the fire bell rang and everyone hurried out of their rooms, down to the open area and out of the school towards the safe zone, which was just across the street. The firefighters arrived a few minutes later complete with uniforms and equipment... and they looked serious too!

Everyone watched them disappear to and reappear from the building a few moments later and unexpectedly, they were carrying 2 unconscious bodies from the supposed “fire” incident. Unbeknownst to most, this was prearranged by the Fire Department to make the drill look more authentic, both for the school and their trainees. The supposed “victims” were a teacher and a grade 6 student, Teacher Joey Festejo and Alex Ruta respectively, who were carried out from the school and loaded inside the ambulance which really sped off as if their lives depended on it. Now what can you say to that?

So, how'd we do?  Total time for the whole drill: 5.25 minutes! 2.14 minutes for the evacuation and 3.25 minutes for the actual rescue! Not bad for a first time true-to life fire drill, exclusively at COJ.

Days prior to the drill, the Fire Department gave an orientation.

The fire truck arrives at the scene...

and rescue the "victims."

Miss Weng and Teacher Shannon smile for posterity.

The Kinder class take one too!

The revived victims with their heroes.