Juan Brignardello Vela
Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, se especializa en brindar asesoramiento y gestión comercial en el ámbito de seguros y reclamaciones por siniestros para destacadas empresas en el mercado peruano e internacional.
A school seismic safety program has been launched by the Faculty of Technology and Applied Sciences of the National University of Catamarca (UNCA) with the aim of improving preparedness for seismic events in the province. This project, which falls under the fifth call of the extension projects promotion program, seeks to address the lack of information and the incorrect teaching about seismic activity in Catamarca, a region with moderate seismic activity. In a context where earthquakes are a natural phenomenon that can occur at any moment, the initiative is presented as crucial to ensure the safety of the educational community. The program's general objective is to train authorities, teachers, students, and non-teaching staff in seismic safety through informational talks and evacuation drills to be conducted in various educational institutions. One of the most notable aspects of the project is the intention to establish a contingency plan in collaboration with the authorities and teachers of each school, allowing this plan to be replicated annually. This will not only increase preparedness for emergencies but also promote the creation of a safer school environment that is aware of seismic risks. In this regard, the program's advocates emphasize that seismic education is fundamental, as individual behavior during an earthquake can be decisive for survival. However, it has been observed that many educational institutions lack seismic safety programs, raising growing concern about students' preparedness for such events. Seismic activity in Argentina is primarily concentrated in the northwest and southwest of the country, where Catamarca is located. This geological context, along with the experience of the earthquake with a magnitude close to 7 on the Richter scale that affected the province in 2004, highlights the need for a proactive approach to earthquake education. Despite previous efforts in this area, many of these programs have not been sustained over time, leading to the creation of this new initiative. The program includes a multidisciplinary team comprising geologists, social workers, and students from various fields, all committed to education and safety. This team will work comprehensively to develop an educational approach that not only informs but also trains young people in the practice of drills and in the development of evacuation plans tailored to the characteristics of each school building. The importance of involving children and adolescents in this topic lies in their potential to become agents of change within their communities. By acquiring knowledge about how to act during an earthquake, these young individuals will not only be protecting their own lives but will also be able to pass on what they have learned to their families and friends, thereby creating a network of community awareness regarding seismic safety. From UNCA, it is emphasized that the implementation of this program will not only benefit students in terms of knowledge but will also contribute to their comprehensive development as responsible citizens. The positive response from educational institutions to this proposal indicates an urgent need to improve training in seismic prevention, and it is expected that the training received will translate into a significant change in the safety culture within schools. Therefore, the challenge presented is enormous, but it is also an opportunity to foster greater awareness and preparedness regarding seismic activity. Collaboration between the university, educational authorities, and the community will be key to ensuring the success of this project, which aims not only to educate but also to empower new generations in risk management. In an environment where nature is unpredictable, education stands as the most powerful tool to safeguard lives and build safer communities.