GHS/OCD to host the Homeland Security Executive Education Seminar

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in coordination with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), will host the Homeland Security Executive Education Seminar on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Guam Resort.

The one day seminar is a capability and capacity building event, intended to engage key senior officials in discussions on homeland security risks and challenges threatening our territory and to discuss the contributions and capabilities of all stakeholders. The content for the seminar has been designed specifically to our jurisdiction, with the support of regional partners, to help strengthen our capability to plan for, prevent, respond to, and recover from catastrophic events and terrorism. All of the topics will be discussed on a strategic and policy level, with particular attention to identifying challenges, building understanding and collaboration.

“The seminar provides the opportunity for executives to share ideas, theories and concerns in regards to a catastrophic event at a policy level so when these events do happen, decisions can be made to respond effectively,” stated Tim Aguon, Homeland Security Advisor. “While GHS/OCD recognizes all stakeholders in emergency management, we remind our partners that this is a closed-door session with key senior officials in an effort to cultivate a trusted atmosphere for open dialogue.”

Attendees include senior level officials and agency heads from the government of Guam, federal, military, and other emergency management stakeholders. The educational seminar is a closed-door session and participation is by invite only.

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.