U.S. Navy and Government of Guam to Participate in Joint Emergency Response Exercise

NAVAL BASE GUAM (Aug. 1, 2024) – The U.S. Navy and the Government of Guam are scheduled to conduct a joint emergency response exercise simulating a transportation incident involving a material shipment. The exercise will be held on Polaris Point, U.S. Naval Base Guam, Aug. 2.

This exercise is designed to simulate a vehicle collision on a public highway, where the Navy will deploy its transportation emergency response team. It is part of the Navy’s ongoing program to collaborate with civil authorities and emergency management personnel in areas where Navy nuclear-powered warships are homeported. The goal of the exercise is to validate current processes and procedures for joint notification and response.

“Our collaboration with the U.S. Navy is crucial for the safety and well-being of our community. This exercise enhances our readiness and ability to respond effectively to emergencies,” said Mr. Charles Esteves, Administrator, Guam Office of Civil Defense. “Working together with the Navy and our first responders ensures we have a coordinated and efficient response strategy, which is vital for the protection of our residents and environment.”

The exercise also creates opportunities to practice external coordination processes and strengthen relationships between Department of Defense and local authorities and partners. Multiple government organizations will participate, including Submarine Squadron 15’s Radiological Emergency Response Organization (RERO), USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Guam Department of Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense, Guam Fire Department, Guam Police Department, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Emergency Medical Services, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Army National Guard 94th Civil Support Team, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, and Guam Regional Medical City.

“This exercise allows us to test and improve our coordination and response strategies, ensuring we are prepared to handle any potential incidents,” said Capt. Neil Steinhagen, Commander, Submarine Squadron 15. “By strengthening our relationships with local authorities and partners, we can work together more effectively and enhance our overall readiness to respond to emergencies.”

Those in the surrounding communities may notice increased vehicle activity around Polaris Point during the exercise, including military and local first responders, as they practice their procedures.

For more information, contact CSS15 Public Affairs Officer, LT James Caliva at (671) 343-4280 or via email at james.caliva.mil@us.navy.mil, or GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna 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.