Naval Base Guam Hosts Emergency Management Symposium

By Shaina Marie Santos, Naval Base Guam Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Emergency responders from local and federal government agencies joined for the Emergency Management Symposium on U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) in Santa Rita Sept. 27-28.

The inaugural symposium, held in observance of national preparedness month, served as a forum for base residents and patrons that provided valuable tips for what to do in emergency situations that may arise on Guam.

"Today is all about getting people educated with regards to preparedness," said NBG Commanding Officer Capt. Andy Anderson. "I've traveled this world and I've been stationed in a variety of places. First things that families, and normally the active duty members, want to know as soon as they get (to their duty station) is, 'what is the threat to me from a national disaster standpoint?' They want to know about earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, all kinds of things of that nature. It is critically important that we understand what we have the ability to prepare for, to respond to and recover from."

NBG Emergency Manager Oly Magofna said he hopes the forum serves to strengthen the trust the base community has for its emergency responders.

"We just had a 6.7 earthquake," he said. "It's very important in order for us to be ready to respond to these natural disasters and for our public to be aware that we have the capabilities to make sure that they're protected when the time comes."

Responders from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Coastal Riverine Group 1 Det. Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, Government of Guam, and numerous others provided static displays for attendees and answered questions about their duties on the island.

Isis Arrowsmith, a Navy spouse, was one of the many base patrons who attended the symposium.

"Just being new to the island, you don't really know what sources are available, so it's nice to have a function where you can get everything all at one time to see what's out there for you and people that you can contact to help," Arrowsmith said.