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EMO to keep local technical service
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Posted on Sep 24 1999
The Emergency Management Office has to rely on local technical service to ensure that quick response is available when its communications system unexpectedly breaks down, an EMO official said.
In response to the Office of the Public Auditor’s earlier recommendation that EMO advertise outside Saipan for technical service need, EMO acting Director Gregorio A. Deleon Guerrero maintained that hiring a local technician is more economical and practical.
Guerrero said getting a technician from off-island would cost the agency more money as it would be required to shoulder the expenses for plane fare, lodging, meals, and transportation.
EMO is presently depending on its former technician, Marvin Leon Guerrero, whose consulting firm has been contracted by the government for the repair and maintenance of the agency’s Smartnet Communications System.
Guerrero is the only licensed radio technician on island authorized to repair and maintain the system.
“Presently, there is no other individual on this island [who] is familiar with this system,” Guerrero said. “Technicians from the various communications companies still have to get the training on this type of equipment before they can actually repair or correct what the failure is.”
OPA said that although EMO’s contract with its former employee doesn’t violate any law, the emergency office “would be better able to manage the government’s emergency operations and control its expenses by having a full-time EMO lead technician.”
The emergency office should start looking for a qualified person in places other than Saipan, OPA added.
Guerrero, on the other hand, maintained that EMO prefers local service readily on hand on a short notice in case of unexpected system breakdown. A Saipan-based technician, the EMO chief said, can be contacted day or night.
Guerrero said EMO is now looking into plans to train local technicians on handling the Smartnet System. (MCM)
