In a media conference, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos said the task force, in collaboration with federal agencies, is closely monitoring the situation in Japan in connection with the “increased activity” caused by the explosions from its nuclear reactors.
However, the CNMI, which is over a thousand miles south of Japan, is not expected to experience any radioactivity, Inos said.
The islands, he added, “are a safe zone at this time.”
The task force is composed of the governor’s office, Department of Public Health emergency response program director Warren Villagomez, CNMI Office of Homeland Security special assistant Marvin Seman, Emergency Management Office Director Jack Omar, Criminal Justice Planning Agency Executive Directo Jerome Iome, Division of Environmental Quality Director Frank Rabauliman and Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan.
The task force is now working collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Rabauliman said the EPA will deploy a radiation monitoring device called Radnet in the CNMI. The device will be available on island in the next two to three days.
Villagomez said Public Health’s emergency response program has enough personnel in case radioactivity reaches the CNMI.
“We have been in contact with our federal partners and informed all our medical directors to give us proper guidance and make sure that all precautionary procedures are in place,” he said.
Omar said EMO has its emergency operation plan in place. This plan, he said, includes a scheme that addresses nuclear radiation issues.
Inos said with the task force in place, there will be a quick dissemination of information to the public through a close coordination with television and radio stations, early warning systems and other means possible to reach out to the people in the quickest way possible.
