Evacuations and Emergencies

Reacting to an Emergency

As citizens it is all our responsibility to be ready to respond efficiently and quickly in case of an emergency. We can not always rely on what our governments say they will do for us; we must also make preparations for ourselves. Individuals must learn that in the case of an evacuation or emergency, respect, order and discipline must prevail, for the safety of all. Evacuation drills and emergency preparations are not a waste of time and must be taken seriously.

Evacuations in the Workplace and at Home

In case of an emergency evacuation at work, it is most important that employees know the company evacuation plan and can work as a team, radios in hand, to coordinate each step of the plan. Many preparatory steps are necessary and should not be overlooked or forgotten. The essential communication equipment for communicating with all people present in the building must work. Also check that employees are able to identify the tone of each alarm in case of fire, explosion, earthquake or bomb threat. Each emergency will require that different actions are performed by employees before they leave their desks. Should the employees be responsible for securing vital corporate information, they must be familiar with the quickest way to put these materials away in a secure filing cabinet or vault.

The following links are useful in assisting you create an evacuation plan for your office or home. Navigate each site and tailor it to your needs.  

For information and suggestions on creating an evacuation plan, see http://www.generalcode.com/samples/02win_01.html.

Emergency preparedness and workplace disaster supply kits are explained by San Diego State University at http://bfa.sdsu.edu/emergency/index.htm.

The FEMA Certified Instructor’s Guide, in English and Spanish, has sample emergency kits and procedure lists for readiness at home in case of natural disasters: http://www.cert-la.com/manuals/instman.htm.

CENAPRED: The National Center for Disaster Prevention

CENAPRED, http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/, is a Mexican government organization created in 1988 as a reaction to the deadly earthquakes of Mexico City three years earlier. With the Japanese government’s economical and scientific support, valuable assistance by the National Autonomous University and the supervision by Mexico ’s Secretariat of the Interior, CENAPRED began operations in May of 1990. It is another valuble resource for expats in Mexico wanting to inform themselves on disaster prevention.

Mexico City EMERGENCY Telephone Numbers

Fire: 068 for the police communications center. Or call 5768-3700, 5768-2443 for Operations at the Merced Balbuena Headquarters, direct number: 5768-2532. Their official website is http://www.bomberos.df.gob.mx/.

Police: 060

Missing Persons/Cars Towed away by Police: 5658-1111

City Government Ambulance Service (ERUM): 5588-5100 Ext. 176

Federal Civil Protection: 5683-1154, 5683-1142

Gas Leaks (24 hours): 5353-2763, 5353-2823

By Mario Gonzalez-Roman, a retired Foreign Service National Security Advisor to the United States Embassy, currently a private Security Consultant, columnist at www.securitycornermexico.com

Return to top