GHS/OCD Promotes September as National Preparedness Month

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) invite the island to celebrate September as National Preparedness Month (NPM). Governor Lou Leon Guerrero will sign the NPM Proclamation on Friday, August 30, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governors Complex, Large Conference Room.

This NPM will focus on planning, with the overarching theme “Prepared, Not Scared. Be Ready for Disasters.” NPM is held annually in the month of September. During the month, the community is encouraged to conduct preparedness actions, develop emergency plans, learn how to stay safe, and how to communicate during an emergency. Governor Leon Guerrero’s declaration of National Preparedness Month provides an excellent opportunity to highlight Guam’s emergency management capabilities.

“National Preparedness Month promotes disaster emergency planning and preparedness at all levels,” stated Charles Esteves, Office of Civil Defense Administrator. “We encourage everyone to use the month to update your individual and organizational emergency plans; learn basic lifesaving skills, such as CPR and first aid; build an emergency preparedness kit, and consider costs associated with disasters and save money for emergencies,” Esteves continued.

GHS/OCD will host the National Preparedness Month grand finale on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Agana Shopping Center from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (ChST). During the expo, there will be activities, booths, short skits, demonstrations and much more.

Learn more about event details and ways you can participate throughout the month:

Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
Contact Whole Community Preparedness Program Manager, Jaimie H. Cruz at (671) 688-0438 or via email at jaimie.cruz@ghs.guam.gov

For media inquiries, 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.