In a country like Mexico, where earthquakes are a constant reality, being prepared can make the difference between life and death. National drills are a key tool for fostering a culture of prevention and strengthening our response capacity in emergencies. Did you know that participating in a drill can save lives? Discover everything you need to know to be ready.
What Is a National Drill? A National Drill is an exercise organized by authorities to prepare the population for possible natural disasters or emergencies. Its main purpose is to evaluate and improve safety protocols, identify risks, and strengthen coordination between institutions and citizens. Additionally, it aims to promote a culture of prevention, teaching us how to act quickly and effectively in critical situations. Objectives include:
- Informing the population about risks and safety measures.
- Evaluating the response capacity of brigades and internal units.
- Promoting the creation of family and community civil protection plans.
The First National Drill 2025 will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (central Mexico time), according to the Government of Mexico. During this exercise, the seismic alert will be activated in several entities of the country, including Mexico City, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Puebla, Chiapas, and more. Each region will adapt the drill to the specific risks of their zone. For example, while some areas will simulate an earthquake of magnitude 8.1 with an epicenter in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, others may focus on hurricanes or fires. To participate, institutions and citizens can register their properties on the official platform before April 28.
Preparations and Recommendations for the First National Drill 2025
To make the most of this drill, follow these recommendations:
- Families: Identify evacuation routes, designate a meeting point, and prepare an emergency backpack with water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and important documents.
- Companies: Ensure that all employees know the emergency exits and actively participate in the exercise.
- Schools: Conduct prior drills with students and reinforce security measures in the facilities.
During the drill:
- Stay calm and follow the instructions of the brigades.
- Evacuate the building in an orderly manner and head to the designated meeting point.
- Evaluate response times and areas for improvement.
This year, participate in the #FirstNationalDrill2025 with your family! You’ll learn how to act in case of an emergency and be better prepared.
Authorities recommend having emergency numbers on hand. In the image, firefighters conduct a rescue exercise in Chiapas.
Mexico is exposed to risks from earthquakes, tropical cyclones, floods, and wildfires, but Mexican homes can also face other dangers generated by various situations, such as gas leaks. Therefore, authorities from the Government of Mexico recommend conducting and periodically updating a Family Civil Protection Plan.
What Is a Family Civil Protection Plan? According to the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred), this plan is designed to help you know how to act before, during, and after possible disasters. Risks caused by natural or man-made phenomena can be mitigated if each of us adopts preventive measures and attitudes. Civil protection is everyone’s responsibility.
The plan should be adapted to any type of emergency and to the specific needs of each family, considering the number of people in the household and the specific characteristics of the place where they live. For instance, it should account for whether there are children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities in the home, and it should also include pets.
What Does the Plan Include? Essentially, it consists of four steps aimed at ensuring that everyone knows what to do and acts in an organized and coordinated manner:
- Detect and Reduce Risks: This step involves checking the condition of your home’s construction, maintenance of installations (water, gas, electricity), and furniture (bookshelves, shelves). Authorities recommend securing furniture that could fall and checking for hazards in your surroundings.
- Design Evacuation Routes: This involves designing the nearest and safest exits. You can create a simple sketch of your home and surroundings.
- Make the Best Decision: In this step, determine what danger you are exposed to, whether it’s a landslide, earthquake, fire, tropical cyclone, or flooding, and consult the specific recommendations for each situation.
- Perform Drills: A drill is a practice about how to act in case of an emergency. Regularly conducting these drills allows you to verify if your preparedness actions are effective and correct them accordingly.
“A key element to reducing the destructive impact of natural or anthropogenic phenomena is prevention,” stated Cenapred. Always have personal documents of all family members and important items ready in case of an emergency.
Other tips for your Family Civil Protection Plan include:
- Agree on a meeting place with your family in case a disaster occurs while you are apart.
- Keep duplicates of your home and vehicle keys in a strategic location.
- Know the blood types of all household members.
- Be aware of the nearest hospitals and the best routes to reach them.
- Have a flashlight and a portable radio with extra batteries on hand.
The First National Drill 2025 is a unique opportunity to reinforce our culture of prevention and demonstrate that together we can build a safer Mexico. Are you ready to participate and make a difference?
