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Babauta declares Disaster Preparedness Week
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Posted on Sep 20 2004
Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 20-24 as Disaster Preparedness Week, in a ceremony attended by local emergency responders at the Aqua Resort Club.
The declaration serves as a public awareness campaign on preparedness for natural and man-made disasters that may strike the islands.
“While [disasters] cannot be prevented, [they] can be reduced in their effect through well-organized public education, risk assessment and mitigation,” said Babauta.
According to the governor, disasters not only claim lives and cause injuries, but also result in millions of dollars in damage and economic losses.
On June 28, Typhoon Tingting passed through Saipan, bringing with its record-breaking rainfall that resulted in massive flooding. On Aug. 22, Supertyphoon Chaba unleashed its fury as it passed through Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands, destroying houses, chopping off trees, and causing flood on different portions of the islands. The northern islands of Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan islands also got battered by another supertyphoon—Songda—and tropical storm Sarika.
As part of the campaign, the Emergency Management Office scheduled emergency response demonstrations before high school students this week.
Hazardous materials and terrorism response demonstrations will be conducted at the Saipan Southern High School on Wednesday at 10am. Similar demonstrations will also be conducted at Mt. Carmel School and Kagman High School on Thursday and Friday at 9am and 11am, respectively.
