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Guam - With an increase in drownings in recent weeks, public safety officials are taking action. A public/private partnership between GPD, G4S Security, Guam Fire, and Parks & Rec has been formed to help keep the public safe amidst recent drownings.


Acting civil defense administrator James McDonald said, "The director of Parks and Rec reached out to us and was asking if we could assist them in providing radios for them to communicate one lifeguard to another; especially this time of the year when we're having a numerous amount of drownings," he explained.


Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio emphasized that better communication could shorten response time of emergency personnel, and possibly save more lives. Four radios were donated during the ceremony Monday morning, saying, "One will be assigned to G4S, one to the Tumon precinct and then two at the different lifeguard posts at Matapang and Ypao Beach so that if there are any distressed swimmers or any situation like a crime, what'll happen is G4S will be working as we all are as stakeholders for public safety to make sure the response time is shortened," he added.


Director of G4S Paul Suba stressed that while safety officials will do their best to protect the public, it is also the individual's responsibility to exercise caution when swimming especially during this time of the year. "My advice would be, on days when the water is rough or bad, pre-plan and don't go in the water, if you are going to go in the water and you have children or elderly people, they should stay close to shore and always be observed," he explained.


While the implementation of better communication between first responders, law enforcement, and security personnel could be the difference between life and death, the public is encouraged to remain cautious as well.