The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SPC) and the National Coordination of Civil Protection (CNPC) have announced the 2024 National Drill, scheduled for Thursday, September 19, at 11:00 a.m. This nationwide exercise aims to bolster the culture of Civil Protection and improve the response capabilities of both public and private institutions, as well as internal units and brigades.
Objective of the National Drill
The primary objective of the 2024 National Drill is to prepare the Mexican population for potential natural disasters, specifically focusing on earthquake preparedness. The drill will simulate a major seismic event to test the readiness and response of various sectors of society, from government agencies to private businesses and individual households. By participating in this drill, institutions and citizens alike will contribute to strengthening the country’s overall disaster response capabilities.
Details of the 2024 National Drill
The CNPC has outlined the scenario for the upcoming drill, which will involve a simulated earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale. The hypothetical epicenter will be located in Acapulco, Guerrero, with coordinates 16.463°N, -99.529°W, and a depth of 20 kilometers. The simulated earthquake is expected to produce the following effects across various regions in Mexico:
- Widely Perceived in Central Mexico: The drill will focus on areas where the tremors are expected to be felt most significantly, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of preparedness in densely populated regions.
- Severe in Guerrero: As the epicenter is situated in Guerrero, the simulation will focus on severe impacts in this state, assessing the readiness of emergency response units and infrastructure resilience.
- Strong and Very Strong in Michoacán, Morelos, and Oaxaca: These areas will be tested for strong to very strong seismic activity, evaluating the effectiveness of evacuation plans and emergency protocols.
- Moderate in Chiapas, Puebla, State of Mexico, Colima, and Tlaxcala: The drill will also extend to these states, with moderate impacts expected, allowing for a broader evaluation of preparedness across the country.
In addition to testing response protocols, the drill will also consider potential damage to homes, historic buildings, and strategic facilities. This aspect of the exercise will help identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement in structural resilience and emergency response strategies.
Participation and Registration
To ensure a successful drill, Civil Protection authorities are urging residents to register their properties on the SSPC digital platform by September 18 at 11:59 p.m. Those who have previously registered need only to select and validate their existing data to participate in the drill.
Recognizing that not all states in Mexico are equally exposed to seismic activity, the agency encourages participants to propose appropriate scenarios based on the specific risks identified for their locations. This tailored approach ensures that the drill remains relevant and effective for all participants, regardless of geographic location.
