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EMO’s communications facility gets new home
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Posted on Apr 14 2000
The Emergency Management Office has finally built a permanent home for its $2 million Smartnet Communication System facility in Mt. Tapuchao.
Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency — $143,000 for the construction of the building and relocation of equipment plus $64,000 for the power to the tower project –– paved the way for the transfer of the communication system to a more stable structure. Ninety percent of the funding came from the federal grant while 10 percent came from the CNMI government.
EMO has always been planning for the transfer of the equipment to a safer structure since the 20-ft container where it was formerly housed was in great danger of being swept away by strong winds whenever supertyphoons hit the island.
However, the tight budget of the CNMI government has prevented EMO from building a concrete structure. When supertyphoon Keith hit the Northern Marianas in November 1997, the blessing came as it became the first priority when EMO applied for funding under the Hazard Mitigation Program.
“We were fortunate to be included in the typhoon Keith grant where we were given first priority because of the value of the equipment,” said Gregorio Deleon Guerrero, EMO director.
It took the contractor 120 days to build the structure and erect the tower which was made possible through the assistance of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
EMO used to run the communication facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a generator. Construction of the power tower will not only benefit EMO but also the residents living near Mt. Tapuchao who can hook up to the CUC power.
