by Nick Delgado

Guam - Several GovGuam agencies are getting a firsthand look of what to expect in the event a major earthquake hits near our region and generates a tsunami. NWS International Tsuanmi Information Center Manager Brian Yanagi is hosting a national tsunami training course for to ensure Guam's first responders are ready.

He says Guam's reefs will mitigate the energy from a tsunami hitting Guam, but will not stop it completely. "The Marianas Trench is a source region where lots of earthquakes and all it takes is a major earthquake to generate a tsunami coming to Guam in about 10 to 15 minutes so when you feel the ground shake and you are on the low coastal areas then move to high ground immediately and do not wait to be told what to do, save yourself," he said.

Meantime, Guam Homeland finished scoping where to place the tsunami sirens throughout the island's low-lying areas. GHS spokesperson Alyssa Benito says the problem is they still need to find locations on government property to place sirens in Umatac and Yona. She adds the new bidders will be in charge of testing the sirens that have been in storage for years to determine if they may have to purchase new units.

No timeframe on when Homeland will issue that bid.