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Aging Office takes part in emergency response exercise
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Posted on Sep 27 2011
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
Reporter
The Office on Aging recently attended a tabletop exercise that tested the response capabilities and coordination of the CNMI, the military, and federal emergency response agencies in the aftermath of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on the islands.
The “Rumble” Exercise, coordinated by the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Region Marianas, was held at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center in Capitol Hill last Sept. 21 to 22.
Aging program coordinator Walter Manglona said he was appointed by Aging director Rose Mondala to attend the training on her behalf.
In the report he submitted to the director, Manglona said the first day of training focused on learning about earthquakes, reinforced through participation in case scenarios of actual incidents.
Manglona said participants were divided into four sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. He was given the title of deputy section chief under the Planning section.
“It was a bit of a struggle at first since I was not familiar [with] the terms and codes of law enforcement, but after listening and observing attentively I was able to pull through,” said Manglona.
The second day of training focused on familiarizing participants about tsunamis and “what to do if one should ever hit the CNMI.”
“If a tsunami were to hit one of our islands, a safe zone would be anywhere that is 50 feet or more in elevation,” he said.
According to Manglona, Joint Region Marianas defense coordinating officer Roy Tsutsui also held a workshop on Defense Support of Civil Authority on the last day of the training.
“His [Tsutsui] lecture covered various topics, including rescue missions and recovery during past typhoons and other natural disasters, how to acquire federal assistance such as FEMA, and the steps to take in case of future natural disasters,” said Manglona.
“I came in feeling slightly out of place in the new atmosphere, but I eventually caught on and executed my assignment with ease. The two-day workshop was eye-opening and worthwhile to attend,” he added.
