Bernard Villagomez, right, public information officer of CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Yvonne Pangelinan, senior director for student support services of the Public School System conduct a press conference on Thursday.
THE Konfitma 2024 full-scale exercise schedule for Sept. 3 and 4 was announced Thursday by Bernard Villagomez, public information officer of CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Yvonne Pangelinan, senior director for student support services of the Public School System.
Konfitma is a Chamorro word that means “conforming with the plans.”
In a press conference, Villagomez said the Konfitma exercise has been a long-standing practice, but was “paused” during the Covid-19 pandemic due to social distancing mandates.
“The exercise resumed in 2023, and this year, the team is accelerating…efforts to ensure readiness,” he added.
“The primary goal of the Konfitma 2024 exercise is to test the capabilities of CNMI agencies in responding to real-world scenarios. This includes collaboration with the Guam National Guard’s 94th Civil Support Team and Wisconsin’s 54th CST. The exercise aims to evaluate whether CNMI government capabilities are sufficient or if federal and Department of Defense assistance would be necessary in future emergencies,” Villagomez said.
For her part, Pangelinan emphasized the importance of safety and security for students and staff.
“The exercise will evaluate emergency plans, physical and psychological safety, communication and recovery processes, including reunification of parents with students after a crisis. Students from the affected schools will participate in lockdown exercises to ensure preparedness,” Pangelinan said.
She stressed the importance of communication during both drills and real-life crises.
“Reminders and updates about the drill will be sent out to families before and during the event,” she added.
Pangelinan said students will be safe during the exercise, and there is no need for parents to come to the school sites during the drill.
“Families are encouraged to discuss the drill with their children and reach out to schools if they have concerns about anxiety, stress, or special needs,” she added.
Villagomez said there will be increased activity of first responders in the affected areas during the exercise.
“But there is no cause for concern. If a real-world situation arises during the exercise, it will be halted immediately,” he added.
Pangelinan said while the affected schools are participating in the drill, other schools will continue their regular activities. However, principals from non-participating schools may serve as evaluators during the exercise.
Day 1 exercise
On Sept. 3, an “active shooter scenario” will occur at Kagman High School. Lockdown procedures will be implemented at 9:30 a.m. at KHS, Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Kagman Elementary School and Kagman Head Start/Early Head Start Center.
The next situation is a “hostage and active shooter scenario” at the former Kagman Juvenile Detention Center.
Next, a “mass care and decontamination scenario” will occur at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation while a “hazmat and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive or CBRNE scenario” will happen at the former Kagman Juvenile Detention Center. This will conclude the scenarios for day one of the exercise.
Day 2
On Sept. 4, a “chlorine and CBRNE incident” will occur at a CUC storage unit. This will conclude the exercise scenarios for the exercise.
The other agencies involved in Konfitma are the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Customs and Biosecurity, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, the Guam National Guard 94th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team and the Wisconsin National Guard 54th WMD-CST.
