GHS/OCD Host Multiple Online Training Opportunities from NDPTC

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in coordination with the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC), will host multiple online training opportunities. All training will be held virtually and are free to eligible participants.

· Hurricane Awareness (AWR-343) - Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. (ChST) OR Tuesday, September 29, 2020 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. (ChST)

o Register for Tuesday, September 15 (ChST) at https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/2786/

o Register for Tuesday, September 29 (ChST) at https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/2788/

o This course will provide a basic understanding of hurricane science, forecasting, warning, and preparedness to help emergency managers, responders, government administrators, and community members make better, more informed decisions in hurricane planning and preparedness. The course enhances the ability of participants to identify and describe the conditions of tropical cyclone formation, provide official watch and warning definitions and to make recommendations in preparation for a hurricane and the associated hazards such as high winds, heavy rain, and storm surge.

· Flooding Hazards: Science and Preparedness – Tuesday, September 22 AND Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. (ChST). Note: Both days must be attended to receive credit.

o Register at https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/2790/

o As flooding is one of the top meteorological killers in the United States, and poses particular hazards to emergency responders, this introduction to recognizing flooding threats is essential for developing safe communities. The goal of this course is to prepare participants to recognize the conditions that lead to flood events, evaluate their community's risk, and prepare appropriately.

· Natural Disaster Awareness for Caregivers (AWR-308) – Saturday, September 26, 2020, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. (ChST)

o Register at https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/2795/

o This course is designed to enhance the caregiver’s awareness of vulnerability factors for those who require care. Participants will learn how to identify, prepare, and perform a number of support activities that will ensure the safety and security of care receivers when a natural hazard event occurs. Participants will also be introduced to best practices for personal preparedness prior to a disaster and encouraged to discuss plans and actions that they have already taken. Participants will then explore special considerations for disaster preparedness for dependents and those with access and functional needs.

· Coastal Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment Tools (PER-378) – Friday, October 2 AND Saturday, October 3, 2020, 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. (ET). Note: Both days must be attended to receive credit.

o Register at https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/2800/

o This one-day performance-level training course provides training on the available tools for the assessment and planning for natural hazards and vulnerabilities that uniquely affect coastal communities. Examples of these hazards are short term events such as high surf, storm surge, and tsunami inundation, or long term threats from sea level rise and coastal erosion.

For registration details, contact GHS/OCD State Training and Exercise Manager Patrick Leon Guerrero at (671) 475-9600 or via email at pat.leonguerrero@ghs.guam.gov.

For media inquiries, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 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.