GHS/OCD Promotes Active Shooter Preparedness

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) recognize the importance of preparedness for all-hazards, both natural and man-made, to include preparedness from active shooter (AS) threats and events.

GHS/OCD, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC), have met with partner agencies that make up an Active Shooter Working Group for Guam. Participating agencies beside GHS/OCD, DHS and MRFC include the Guam Police Department, Guam Customs & Quarantine, Judiciary of Guam, Guam Department of Education, Port Authority of Guam, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations, United States Secret Service, and other local and federal partners.

The Active Shooter Working Group has met since the beginning of 2018 and continue to work together to update and improve plans to train emergency responders and educate the community about active shooter preparedness. Active Shooter training is a component of the GHS/OCD Training & Exercise Multi-Year Training Plan and is offered through GHS/OCD coordination.

As part of the education initiative, GHS/OCD, working with GPD, have created an Active Shooter Preparedness PSA, https://youtu.be/iq_aysFbhTY, shared here for widest distribution. The commercial highlights the importance of recognizing signs of potential violence around you.

“Active Shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly,” stated Homeland Security Advisor, George Charfauros. “Reporting suspicious behavior beforehand may help save lives. The community is reminded to contact the MRFC if they see something suspicious such as someone taking photos of entryways and exits to secure buildings, someone asking questions about security shift changes, or even reporting to employers or teachers a drastic change in behavior of students or coworkers. That simple act alone may help prevent an active shooter situation,” Charfauros continued.

Before an active shooter situation, the community can help by being informed. Sign up for active shooter training, report suspicious behavior and activity, be aware of surroundings at all times including exits, and make a plan in advance with families and coworkers.

During an active shooter situation, practice the Run, Hide, or Fight initiative:
Ø  Run and escape, if possible. Leave belongings behind and run in the opposite direction of the shooting, but only if it is safe to do so.
Ø  Hide, if escape is not possible or safe to do so. Get out of the shooter’s view and stay quiet, locking or blocking the door if possible.
Ø  Fight as an absolute last resort. Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against the shooter.

To learn more about active shooter preparedness and reporting suspicious behavior, visit:

Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or contact the MRFC online at https://mlrin.org/, via email at teammrfc@mlrin.org or call (671) 475-0400.

For more information, 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

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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.