THE Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the Public School System $1.458 million in hazard mitigation grant for six public schools.
The FEMA grant will fund the installation of 911 impact-resistant windows and doors at Tanapag Middle School, Koblerville Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Marianas High School and Tinian Elementary School.
The installation of typhoon-resistant windows and doors will provide enhanced protection against extreme weather conditions, safeguarding the well-being of students, faculty and staff members.
“We are grateful for the support of the CNMI Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and our federal partner, FEMA, in fortifying our school campuses against the impact of typhoons and natural disasters,” said Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
“School buildings and facilities’ safety and their overall structural integrity to withstand threats of natural disaster is part of our overall initiative and commitment in providing our public school students a safe and conducive learning environment,” he added.
The CNMI government’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program took the lead in securing the funding for PSS.
The project is scheduled to commence immediately, with a 120-day completion period. March 8, 2025 is the completion date.
During the installation process, every effort will be made to minimize disruptions to daily school operations.
The governor’s authorized representative, Patrick C. Guerrero, has assigned Peter M. Tomokane, a project specialist, to work with PSS in the implementation of the FEMA-funded project.
In her notice of grant approval to Guerrero, Director Kathryn Lipiecki of FEMA Region 9’s mitigation division, said the PSS project “has been determined to be Categorically Excluded from the need to prepare either an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment in accordance with FEMA Instruction 108-1-1 and FEMA Directive 108-1-1 as authorized by DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Revision 1.”
