The training was funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and initiated by the Department of Public Safety, and graduation ceremony held at the Emergency Operations Center on Capital Hill, Friday.
Training lead instructor Michael Brison from the Native Hawaiian Environmental Services Center for UXO Training said this was the first training they conducted in the CNMI.
“The course was very extensive, with the participants having to undergo training 10 hours a day, five-days a week for four weeks,” Brison said.
The participants were taught how to identify the different kinds of unexploded ordnance, how to excavate them and other important things.
Brison said the training is open to anyone who has a high school diploma and is not restricted to individuals who are in the enforcement department.
Co-instructor Nick Alaimo said the training is very important because of the huge volume of ordnance left over from World War II.
PO2 Eric David said the 200 hours of training were mentally draining and very intense but which very important and useful.
“So much ordnance was buried in these islands and these munitions are resurfacing through erosions and excavations,” David said.
He said for two weeks, they learned to identify the different kinds of ordnance such as bombs and grenades and the damage these can cause.
David also urges the public to call 911 immediately if they find any unexploded ordnance not to tinker with it to avoid an explosion.
He said they conducted community awareness in schools and villages to educate the public about unexploded ordnance. Every time they respond to a call regarding unexploded ordnance they also have to educate the public, he added.
David said the new graduates are now qualified and certified to identify and tag different types of ordnance, transport and carry them to a safe area, and flag the area to warn the people about the existence of such ordnance.
The UXO technician 1 graduates from DPS were Sgt. Jack Salas, Sgt. Anthony Macaranas, PO2 Eric David, PO2 MaryLou Tanaka, PO1 Anthony Kaipat. fire division Lt. Kevin Aldan, FF2 Climaco Laniyo, Ports Police Officer Memong Eliesar. Tinian Police Officers Kerry Camacho and Joan Pangelinan, Rota’s Sgt. Esebio Manglona, Officer Gebriel Manglona and Officer George Barcinas, Ivan Igitol from the Commonwealth Health Center, and Jesse Lanbert Dubrall from the Office of the Public Auditor.
