The CNMI Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Task Force, according to Fitial, will put up plans to identify shelter areas and build shelters, temporary lodging and feeding of persons affected by an emergency, disaster or precautionary evacuation.
Fitial told Department of Homeland Security’s Pacific Area Office Regional 9 Deputy Director Marilyn Shigetani that the task force’s work will be consistent with the standardized emergency management system and the national incident management system.
He said the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs will be the responsible agency to implement the national emergency plan in coordination with the Emergency Management Office and the governor’s representative during, before and after an emergency disaster.
DCCA Secretary Melvin Faisao in an interview last Saturday said the establishment of the mass care or emergency assistance task force is good news as it will help the government protect people in times of disaster.
DCCA will be the lead coordinator of the emergency task force which will also involve the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Works, the Public School System, the Department of Public Safety, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, the American Red Cross, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and Karidat.
