Naval Base Guam awarded 'StormReady/TsunamiReady' certificate

Photo By Jeffrey Landis | SANTA RITA, Guam (April 13, 2015) -- U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) Commanding Officer, Capt. Andy Anderson, prepares to cut a cake in commemoration for NBG being recognized as a "StormReady/TsunamiReady (SR/TR)" unit by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS), and the United States Department of Commerce, in a ceremony here April 13 at 12:30 p.m. Naval Base Guam (NBG) received the certificate for being recognized for meeting the NOAA's high standards of becoming a StormReady and TsunamiReady organization. (U.S. Navy photo by Jeff Landis, Released)  

U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM, GUAM

04.13.2015

Story by Jeffrey Landis 

U.S. Naval Base Guam

SANTA RITA, Guam – U.S. Naval Base Guam has been recognized as a “StormReady/TsunamiReady (SR/TR)” unit by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) and the United States Department of Commerce, in a ceremony here April 13.

Naval Base Guam (NBG) received the certificate for being recognized in meeting the NOAA’s high standards of becoming a StormReady and TsunamiReady organization, with the ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters and hazards. NBG is considered highly prepared to respond to the multitude of natural hazards, such as typhoons, other severe weather types, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions that can impact NBG’s population. NBG is well prepared to protect its citizens and visitors from these hazards, according to a letter signed by Genevieve Miller, meteorologist-in-charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s federal NOAA office.

According to the letter, the family of SR/TR communities remains a relatively small, elite group, where the hard work and dedication of its emergency management and response teams have proven they meet the high standards of emergency preparedness and their processes, procedures and actions to prevent loss of life and property and protect citizens from harm.

Storm Ready and Tsunami Ready are NOAA/NWS programs that allow jurisdictions to perform a thorough and honest assessment of their disaster preparedness and warning programs. Once they meet the high level of standards based on population, they can be recognized by the National Weather Service as being StormReady and TsunamiReady.

“This is a major accomplishment for Naval Base Guam,” said Oly Magofna, emergency management officer. “The recognition is for our certification and validation of our Emergency Management programs, and that all systems are in place to prepare, respond and recover to natural hazards such as typhoons and tsunamis.”

According to NOAA, StormReady was started in 1999 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to help arm America’s communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property – before and during the event.

StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs. StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives and property.
Schools, playgrounds, hospitals, factories and homes are often built in areas vulnerable to tsunamis.

The NWS TsunamiReady Program is designed to help cities, towns, counties, universities and other large sites in coastal areas reduce the potential for disastrous tsunami-related consequences.

Since June 20, 2001, TsunamiReady has helped community leaders and emergency managers strengthen their local operations. TsunamiReady communities are better prepared to save lives through planning, education and awareness. Communities have fewer fatalities and property damage if they are prepared. No community is tsunami proof, but TsunamiReady can help minimize loss to your community.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2015
• Date Posted: 04.13.2015 18:27
• Story ID: 159876
• Location: U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM, GU