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EMO to hold full-scale anti-terror drill
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Posted on May 12 2004
Basic training on what to do in the event of a weapons of mass destruction attack will go down to the community level when the Emergency Management Office takes the exercise to the streets and harbor of Saipan for a full-scale anti-terror training this month.
The EMO, in coordination with the EG&G Technical Services, has scheduled a full-scale weapons of mass destruction and anti-terrorism exercise on May 26 at Saipan’s multi-million dollar harbor.
Press information officer Peter Callaghan advised the community not to be alarmed when the EMO and other related departments and agencies conduct reality-based and immediate response operations at the Saipan seaport.
“The exercise has been dubbed ‘Operation Safe Harbor,’ and will test the real-time response of the participating departments, agencies, and organizations of the CNMI and federal partners in case of a terror attack,” said Callaghan.
According to EMO director Rudy Pua, the exercise is part of a building-block approach that all first responders are taking to prepare the CNMI in case of a terrorist act.
In July 2003, the EMO and the Commonwealth Ports Authority-Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting division, along with other related agencies, conducted a table-top exercise to help agencies develop their response plans.
“In two weeks, we are going to practice the real thing to let the responders get hands-on training in a simulated terrorist action,” said the EMO director.
Pua also warned the public of increased activity by Public Safety and Public Health officials, but assured that there is no need for alarm.
“The goals of Operation Safe Harbor are to validate the CNMI Emergency Operations Plan, Terrorism Response Annex, and Hazardous Material procedures. The evaluators will also look at the community and local entities’ roles, responsibilities, and plans and procedures in response to an act of WMD/ terrorism,” he stressed.
