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DFEMS gives thanks to DOD
The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has awarded a latte plaque of appreciation to the U.S Department of Defense for their contribution to the CNMI’s Super Typhoon Yutu recovery.
According to DFEMS Commissioner Clyde Norita, it is their way of telling the DOD how much they appreciated the soldiers’ tremendous work and what better way to do that than by offering them a signature latte plaque.
“It’s an appreciation plaque from the [Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services] to Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield. We wanted to tell her how much we appreciated DOD and her leadership really. DOD has been a presence here since the beginning of the typhoon and their resources and manpower that were available to us all during the time for recovery was tremendous,” he said.
Norita said that it was through Chatfield, who is Joint Region Marianas commander, that one of the most vital resources in the CNMI’s recovery was made available, the DOD.
“Right after the typhoon when she was here, she stayed on the ground for four weeks here on Saipan. She was committed to making sure that whatever DOD resources we requested for, she was able to reach out to her chain and make sure that it happened. You’ve seen the response from the military. From the National Guard, to reserves, to active duty from all over the Western Pacific and we’re very appreciative of that. It was a resource that the CNMI alone could never gain but they became our partners in this recovery operations,” he said.
Last Wednesday, servicemen under the DOD said their goodbyes following the completion of their mission in the CNMI.
In the last four months following the devastation of Super Typhoon Yutu, Joint Region Marianas provided a rotation of servicemen from the U.S Naval forces, the National Guard, the Army Reserves, the U.S Air Force, and more.
The servicemen provided drinkable water, delivered supplies and resources to members of the community, cleared typhoon debris, installed temporary shelters, and even built temporary roofs.
