GHS/OCD Host Guam Mitigation Strategies and Opportunities Workshop

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC), will host the Guam Mitigation Strategies and Opportunities Workshop on Monday, March 25 – Tuesday, March 26, 2019, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Westin Resort Tumon Guam.

The event theme is “Mitigating Guam’s Earthquake and Tsunami Risk,” and will provide a forum to discuss Guam’s mitigation strategies and opportunities involving other hazards and risks as well.

The comprehensive workshop will assemble a wide range of stakeholders and mitigation professionals to familiarize each agency’s work and mandates, and collectively build on resources and opportunities for improvement. Goals of the workshop include: providing a clear understanding of the earthquake, tsunami and other hazards vulnerability assessments/risk analysis; mitigation strategies, various policies, plans, and relevant systems; providing an understanding of federal, territorial, private industry, non-governmental and partner organizations’ mitigation efforts, current and planned; providing a capability status of supporting resources during responses to catastrophic scenarios; and supporting the ongoing effort of updating the 2014 Guam Hazard Mitigation Plan.

“From the workshop we look forward to building on the island’s mitigation strategy and to finalize goals, discuss mitigation actions, and actions for implementation,” stated Charles Esteves, Office of Civil Defense Administrator. “Working with all stakeholders and partners, we can take steps to recognize the risks and reduce and control the severity.”

This workshop is funded by a FY 2019 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) grant. NEHRP leads the federal government’s efforts to reduce the fatalities, injuries and property losses caused by earthquakes is dedicated to reducing earthquake hazards through: research – learning more about the hazard; development – figuring out what can be done; and implementation – the “making things work” part of the process. This workshop encompasses all three components.

Attendees of the workshop include emergency management personnel and community volunteers from the Government of Guam, federal, military, private, and non-profit organizations.

For more information, contact Public Information Officer Jenna G. Blas at (671) 489-2540 or via email at 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.