(Press Release) — The CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the Department of Defense and other agencies, successfully executed a Super Typhoon Certification Exercise or CERTEX at the Kensington Hall from May 16 to 18, 2022.
During the exercise, CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management was responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating all aspects of the emergency response to “Super Typhoon Ryan.”
The federally funded certification exercise was a coordinated effort between local and federal governments so they could practice their response, coordination, and recovery mechanisms in reaction to simulated catastrophic events.
CERTEX provided participants with a no-fault, controlled environment in which to exercise a coordinated incident response, including information sharing, stratagem for establishing situational awareness, private and public directorial decision making.
The three-day workshop also provided a forum of dialogue and review of preparedness and response tasks to help prepare emergency management partners for their roles and responsibilities during a disastrous typhoon.
Participants likewise discussed suggestions for an emergency operations plan and a catastrophic plan.
The annual exercise provides an opportunity to assess federal, territorial, and municipal integration with the CNMI Emergency Operations Center.
“It is my priority to continue building a relationship with our federal partners to continue to build our capabilities relating to disaster preparedness and mitigation,” said Dennis C. Mendiola, CNMI HSEM special assistant.
“This training exercise gives us an operating plan to build and fill in our gaps. The typhoon exercise that took place was a first of its kind and would benefit the CNMI in that we would want to assess the new 2021 Emergency Operations Plan and ensure that all response and recovery processes and policies are in place during blue skies,” he added.
