30 Aug 2005

Guam's emergency response ability to be improved through Federal Government grant

3:24 pm on 30 August 2005

Guam will soon have new civil defence warning sirens after receiving 2-million US dollars in federal grant money.

Guam's Homeland Security Adviser, Frank Blas Jr, says they will soon issue a request for proposals to install 19 warning and public address sirens in coastal and southern villages.

Mr Blas says the goal is to place sirens in other areas later, as part of the all hazards alert system.

The Guam government is also purchasing equipment for its civil defence headquarters to be able to make real-time announcements over the emergency broadcast system instead of having to relay information elsewhere to be re- broadcast.

The Government has also started distributing radio receivers to mayors, schools and government offices, capable of receiving the latest weather information and emergency alerts.

Guam has not had warning sirens since 1970.