First responders get tsunami training

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Hoping to equip first responders and emergency management personnel with the very best practices for tsunami preparation and response, geophysicist Dr. Gerard Fryer and tsunami expert Brian Yanagi are on island conducting a tsunami awareness course. The two-day course was actually planned since last year in an effort to be prepared.

The two experts say a tsunami could happen on Guam and scientists are currently assessing new techniques to provide faster tsunami warnings locally. "Provide training to your mayors, to your Civil Defense personnel, to your decision makers, to your police and fire, people in a position to make critical planning during tsunami events," said Yanagi.

Efforts are underway to assess new techniques and technology that will allow officials to provide estimates of wave heights, something that cannot be provided at this time.  The training continues tomorrow at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa.