by Nick Delgado

Guam - The Guam Police Department is conducting its Emergency Vehicle Operators Course this week to train some new officers and civilian volunteers. This effort greatly benefits one of the many Government of Guam agencies that have suffered from a lack of manpower.

Its training that teaches local authorities how to maintain control of their vehicles while responding to calls. Lead Instructor Officer Alex Blanquisco explained the course, saying students learn, "By giving them awareness as far as the limits and capabilities of the vehicle." Blaquisco says the 40-hour training includes four parts.

The first is evasive maneuvers, which teaches the student how to overcome obstacles. The second part teaches them how to safely change lanes while responding to calls. Next is the serpentine course where the officer goes around the obstacles, even reversing through them. And the final part is called "Break & Escape", which simulates a danger happening out on the roadway and the officer applying their brakes to avoid the obstacles.

Blanquisco says the training is needed if officers get into accidents, adding, "It's a certified training, and if the officer is involved in a crash then they have to a refresher course and that's mandated by our order." One thing is that this training is a requirement for every individual in order to operate an emergency vehicle.

CAPE volunteer Homer Czerwonka says the training gives him the confidence in the police department that they will protect the community. "The first experience was kind of intimidating because the course here is pretty treacherous and not having previous law enforcement experience it's very difficult," he admitted.

GPD Spokesperson John Edwards says this is effort helps the agency, as it moves forward in obtaining more personnel. Edwards also gave KUAM cameraman Jacob Sablan and I a chance to test our skills on the course.

(I'll spare you on the specifics of how Jacob and I did...but we both agree that we definitely need more practice.)