U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to promote “Recognize. Retreat. Report.” on Guam
April 13, 2018 (Tiyan, Guam) — Officials from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are on island to conduct an explosives safety outreach program known as “3Rs: Recognize. Retreat. Report.” This is the result of collaboration between the Guam Environmental Protection Agency’s (Guam EPA) Green Parcels/Defense and State Memorandum of Agreement (GP-DSMOA) division and USACE to promote safety and ensure that residents and visitors practice the proper safety measures in the event that they discover munitions and explosives of concern (MECs).
Guam EPA Administrator Walter S. Leon Guerrero stated, “Guam EPA is pleased to be collaborating with both the USACE and the Guam Homeland Security Office in spreading the ‘3Rs’ message that urges all of us to recognize, retreat and report.”
The presence of MECs on Guam has been well documented and established since the conclusion of the Japanese occupation and World War II. Leon Guerrero also added, “The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense have been at the forefront of sharing information, tips and preparedness planning in the event that manmade or natural disasters should occur on Guam. We are proud of the partnership that we have with their office for the 3Rs approach.”
Guam Homeland Security Advisor, George Charfauros adds, “The 3Rs approach is a good opportunity to create general awareness for the community about munitions and explosives of concerns. Response personnel are called for unexploded ordnances (UXO) found in areas around the island, oftentimes from WWII era. While these seem old and interesting; when found, it is important to know basic recognition techniques and the proper avenue to report these findings.”
If MECs or UXOs are found, the immediate action is to retreat and report the finding to the proper authorities, including local law enforcement.
Representatives from USACE have scheduled two outreach efforts to promote their 3Rs outreach campaign on Guam. USACE will be available this evening at the 2018 Smokin Wheels Racing event at the Guam International Raceway. USACE representatives will be onsite for the duration of the three-day event. Residents and visitors will also be able to interact with USACE once again at the Ninth Annual Banana Festival at the Ipan Beach Park from April 19 – 22, 2018
Leon Guerrero further stated, “Just as we have an entire generation that has not experienced a category 3 or category 4 storm, we also have an entire generation that may not possess the proper understanding of the prevalence or the dangers of MECs. The 3Rs approach looks to eliminate a potential pitfall and bolster local efforts to protect human and environmental health.”
| END OF RELEASE |
For more information, please contact Guam EPA Public Information Officer Nic Lee at 300-4753 or nic.rupley@epa.guam.gov