Yesterday\u2019s scheduled teleconference meeting between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local government agencies that have been part of the Joint Information Center was short-lived after they can\u2019t get through the FEMA line.<\/p>\n
The meeting was set in order to come up with a joint catastrophic typhoon plan. The Governor\u2019s Office needs a unified document from all agencies that became part of JIC last year that would be submitted to FEMA.<\/p>\n
The meeting will be scheduled for another day, as it appeared that there were problems with the phone line or FEMA was offline. FEMA\u2019s line could not be reached with a recorded voice message saying that the line for conference call is full.<\/p>\n
Press secretary Ivan Blanco, to still make use of their time, said the meeting was to gather all input from the agencies that have become part of JIC last year for a joint catastrophic plan that would help prepare the CNMI in future disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, tsunami, and even civil unrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want to reinvent the wheel. We just want to know what we could bring to the table and what FEMA will need from us,\u201d said Blanco, who was last year\u2019s coordinator of the JIC after Typhoon Soudelor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sent out a document to some of the public information officers to get accurate information regarding what they do during disasters and the exact [Standard Operating Procedure] they follow. We want to make sure whatever sent out to the public is accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blanco said that\u2019s the main focus of the supposed meeting. They would also want to get everyone\u2019s ideas and inputs on how to get and release accurate information. \u201cWe\u2019re going to try to get FEMA in the teleconference again next week.<\/p>\n
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero said each government agency needs to know what to do and their responsibilities before, during, and after disasters. \u201cI remember that in mid- to late \u201990s we have a state emergency plan detailing the functions, evacuation plan, and even addressing the issues on how to deal with hazardous materials,\u201d said Guerrero, who added that it was the first thing that he checked when he was appointed to head the DPS.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may also look into that. FEMA also has ideas that they want to work on. Let\u2019s just see if there\u2019s something new. Although, everyone must be aware of what they supposed to do before, during, and after a disaster,\u201d Guerrero said.<\/p>\n
Blanco wanted each agency or department to have a PIO or a designated person whose primary task is to release information to the public. He said last year was a good lesson to all since it was hard to get the needed information out after the typhoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we even asked folks who we\u2019ve heard that are going from village to village to be part of the JIC team. If there\u2019s a next disaster, I don\u2019t know if we can still gather the same people or they would still partner with us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Releasing accurate information before and after a disaster is important. \u201cSometimes people hear news and it spreads like wildfire. It really helps if you have all accurate information to get out to general public,\u201d said Blanco.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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