GHS/OCD Host Earthquake Specific Trainings

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host two training opportunities specific to earthquakes at the GHS/OCD facility, Agana Heights:

Tuesday, August 7, 2018 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) – FEMA E-74, Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.) – FEMA 395, Earthquake Safety and Mitigation for Schools

The FEMA E-74 course describes the sources and types of nonstructural earthquake damage and the effective methods and guidance that individuals and organizations can use to take action now before the next earthquake and minimize future injuries and property losses from nonstructural risks. Prior to the training, it is recommended to view a 30-minute independent study training, IS-325, Earthquake Basics: Science, Risk, and Mitigation, which can be found at https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=is-325.

The course is offered at no cost to eligible participants. The target audience for the FEMA E-74 course includes property owners, facility managers, local officials, engineers, architects, small business, and emergency managers.

The FEMA 395 course teaches participants how to: (1) assess and analyze seismic risks typical to school buildings; (2) develop actionable plans for reducing and managing these risks; (3) secure nonstructural components in school facilities; and (4) implement incremental seismic rehabilitation as an affordable approach for protecting existing school buildings and ensuring occupant safety.

The course is offered at no cost to eligible participants. The target audience for the FEMA 395 course includes school officials, school administrators, teachers, facility managers, engineers and other stakeholders interested in reducing earthquake risks in school facilities.

Both courses are being held during Guam’s “Earthquake Preparedness Week,” which is observed August 5 – 11, 2018.

For registration details, contact GHS/OCD State Mitigation Officer, Leo Espia via email at leo.espia@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.