FBI Honolulu
Honolulu Media Office
(808) 566-4300
December 11, 2017

FBI Prepares Guam & CNMI First Responders for Incidents Involving WMD

December 11-14th, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is hosting a series of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) training workshops for first responders and emergency management specialists working in Tinian, Saipan, and Guam.

These workshops will provide an advanced, hands-on understanding of the hazards posed by weapons of mass destruction and better prepare Guam and the CNMI to handle a WMD incident.

Experts from the FBI will give presentations and demonstrations using a mock “home-made” chemical lab to provide participants real examples of what to be on-the-lookout for.

Trained agents and bio-warfare scholars will also share lessons learned from past events and cover topics ranging from radiological awareness, agro-terrorism, and biological threats.

“This workshop is designed to provide valuable training to first responders so they will recognize the signs and identify the use of WMD during the initial stages of an incident,” said FBI Special Agent John Kowatch. “With this knowledge, they can react to an incident with the most appropriate, efficient, and effective response to protect the public.”

In the event of a weapons of mass destruction incident, the FBI and local first responders would work together to address the threat. This training will bring people face to face with their counterparts and build connections for future partnerships.

The workshops are taking place in Tinian on December 11th, Saipan on December 12th, and Guam on December 13th and 14th.