GHS/OCD Promotes Counter Terrorism Awareness Week

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) invite the community to celebrate Counter Terrorism Awareness Week (CTAW) between November 25 – December 1, 2018. Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio will sign the CTAW Proclamation on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governors Complex, Large Conference Room.

During the CTAW proclamation signing, GHS/OCD will also distribute twenty-three (23) Fire Rescue Armor Rig vests to the Guam Fire Department. The vests are equipped with Level IV National Institute of Justice Armor Plates and will help to keep emergency services personnel safe and provide a level of protection much like Law Enforcement vests. The Fire Rescue Armor Rig vests are designed to protect fire personnel and help to distinguish between a Law Enforcement response and a Fire/Rescue response. The project was 100% federally funded by the Homeland Security Grant Program.

CTAW 2018 is Guam’s local initiative to be part of a larger counter terrorism effort across the Nation. On October 4, 2018, President Donald Trump released his National Strategy for Counterterrorism, which outlines a new approach to counter and prevent evolving terrorist threat, with focus on:

Pursuing terrorists to their source;
Isolating terrorists from their sources of support;
Modernizing and integrating the United States’ counterterrorism tools;
Protecting American infrastructure and enhancing resilience;
Countering terrorist radicalization and recruitment; and
Strengthening the counterterrorism abilities of our international partners.

“Guam’s geographic location makes it an ideal point of entry for possible threats into the Nation,” stated Governor Eddie Baza Calvo. “While we work to make sure our ports of entry, both air and sea, are not porous to such threats, I commend the men and women working behind the scenes to improve and review ways to harden and strengthen our counter terrorism efforts, locally.”

“As important as it is to prepare for natural hazards, it is equally important to prepare for man-made threats,” stated Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio. “Let us all be a part of this larger initiative by reporting suspicious behavior or activity in order to help prevent heinous terrorist conduct in our region.”

Throughout the week, GHS/OCD are hosting multiple mission specific events including the Guam Public Safety Broadband Workshop with FirstNet, Nation State Threat Workshops for senior leaders and operational planners, various working group meetings covering many topics such as: active shooter, cyber security, CBRNE, critical infrastructure, public health and medical, and emergency management. While these activities are by invite only, the community is encouraged to recognize CTAW as an active collaboration among emergency management stakeholders within the government, federal, military, private, and non-profit organizations. Begin discussions with family and friends now about counter terrorism and what that means for Guam.

To learn more about the National Strategy for Counterterrorism, counter terrorism and where to report suspicious activity, visit the following links:

For more information, contact 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.