GHS/OCD, FEMA Host 2019 Typhoon Pakyo Workshop

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is hosting the 2019 Typhoon Pakyo Workshop on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort.

The comprehensive workshop will provide an overview of the FEMA Lifelines, which are meant to provide indispensable services that enables the continuous operation of critical business and government functions, and are critical to human health and safety, or economic security. The workshop will provide a better understanding of the correlation between FEMA Lifelines and the emergency management task force expectations, purposes and roles.

Participants will have opportunities to address challenges, risks, and issues related to a catastrophic typhoon and engage in discussions about the roles and functions of the Government of Guam, FEMA, military, federal, and other stakeholders during response and recovery operations from a catastrophic typhoon.

Attendees for the workshop include emergency management task force members from Government of Guam agencies, military, federal partners, private, and non-profit organizations that play an active role in GHS/OCD’s Emergency Operations Center.

“Groups will be broken up into Task Forces to identify challenges and solutions, build a common understanding of roles and responsibilities during a disaster, and foster collaboration,” stated Charles Esteves, Office of Civil Defense Administrator. “We recognize the importance of meeting prior to disasters and look forward to the active collaboration among all stakeholders.”

For registration details, contact GHS/OCD Exercise Planning Officer, John Camacho at john.camacho@ghs.guam.gov.

For media inquiries, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 489-2540 or jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.