Red Cross deploys additional personnel as another storm approaches Marianas
BY MARK RABAGO
Saipan Correspondent
In the Northern Mariana Islands, the American Red Cross is deploying personnel from Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland in preparation for Tropical Depression 29W. It comes as the islands of the Marianas are still recovering from Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi earlier this year.
Red Cross Coordinating Officer Charles Blake said the personnel are expected to be on the ground by Friday, Oct. 16, to support evacuation shelters and disaster response operations.
“By the close of business tomorrow, we’ll have 85 people on the ground that are coming in,” Blake told Marianas Business Journal Thursday morning, Oct. 15, at the Emergency Operations Center on Capitol Hill.
The deployment comes amid concerns about the islands' ability to withstand another major storm.
“When you get hit with multiple storms, one right after the other, and you don't get time to fully recover from those storms, there's going to be some gaps,” Blake said.
He identified electricity, water, and fuel shortages as major concerns after the storm, particularly for generators supporting essential services. The NMI government is also working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to secure additional resources before the storm arrives.
Charles Blake, Red Cross Coordinating Officer
Red Cross NMI board chairperson Joshua Wise said the local chapter has only two staff members and approximately 15 to 20 regular volunteers, making additional manpower critical.
“We need more volunteers, especially since the Red Cross will be handling all the shelters,” Wise said. The 85 incoming personnel do not include local staff and volunteers.
Additional reinforcements could be requested depending on the storm's impact. Residents interested in volunteering may visit the Red Cross chapter along Airport Road. The Red Cross, together with emergency management officials, is preparing evacuation shelters across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Shelter locations on Saipan include Marianas High School, Kagman High School, and Kagman Community Center, with Garapan Elementary School potentially available after the storm. Tinian Elementary School and Tinian Middle School have been identified on Tinian. Shelters in Rota include the Aging Center and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School.
Residents should follow official announcements regarding shelter openings and evacuation schedules. Wise urged families to prepare enough food, drinking water, fuel, medications, and other essential supplies to last at least 48 hours.
“Best thing to do at this point, as you know, most of us kind of know we've been through this drill, is gas up,” he said.
Residents seeking shelter should bring identification cards, important documents, sleeping mats or sleeping bags, and personal necessities. Pets will also be accepted, although owners should bring food and medications. The Red Cross will provide water, restroom facilities, comfort kits, and basic health and mental health assistance at shelters. mbj
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