WMD training underscores need for security

The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement and Federal Protective Service Division recently conducted an occupant Emergency Plan Training and WMD Recognition and Incident Response on the island of Tinian.

Guest instructor Timothy McHugh, who is an inspector for the department, held the hour-long training session that encompassed current WMD threats worldwide. Joining him were Stella Myerhoff, area commander for San Francisco and the Pacific Islands, Federal Protective Service; and Richard Riccio, Hawaii inspector for the department.

The training touched on all areas of devices, chemicals, biological, and radiological weapons that terrorists have been known to utilize to date to inflict casualties, damage and spread terror not just in the United States but also in other parts of the world.

“Since the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, the need for continued training in order to recognize and prevent an attack on American citizens has been ratcheted up, and trainings such as this are one of the many tools that not just the Department of Public Safety but also we as citizens should be attending in order to make us all aware and better prepared should the unthinkable occur,” said Tinian Mayor’s Office public information officer Joe Charfaurus.

From the use of ventilation systems in buildings to spread a biological weapon, to the failed attempt by “shoe bomber” Richard Reid to blow up Flight 63 from Paris to Miami, the use of everyday items in the wrong hands can be deadly.

“There are many ways that terrorists are becoming even harder to detect,” said McHugh, “which only raises our need to persevere and not become passive just because nothing has happened just yet, that is what the terrorists are waiting for.”

Charfaurus described the training session as “enlightening,” with graphic pictures of those who have fallen victims to WMD and some of the tools that inspectors use in order to help them identify and track down these weapons.

“Attendees walked away with a better understanding of what to not only look for but what to smell for. It is hoped that the training will help reduce the WMD threat potential and should an actual incident occur, reduce the impact of the incident,” he said.

Training on the subject will also be held on Saipan, Rota and Guam.

Charfauros gave thanks to the Department of Homeland Security and Resident Director for DPS, Pete Q. Cruz, for helping organize the training.