GOV/GUAM Enlists Help Of Corps Of Engineer For School Debris Removal
Release Date: January 2, 2003
Release Number: 1446-18
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Dededo, Guam -- With the beginning of the new school semester drawing near the Government of Guam has requested assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the removal of debris from school campuses throughout the island.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has tasked the Corps of Engineers to carry out the mission. With the severity of the storm and the magnitude of debris involved the Corps' goal is to make the schools and campuses safe when the students and faculty return.
"The Corps has been working hard to get the street-side debris removed," said Mark Tijerina, FEMA's deputy infrastructure branch chief for debris. "They will make every effort to support the people of Guam and remove the debris so schools can eventually reopen. But our first priority is safety. We won't be satisfied until we have adequately removed all debris-posed safety hazards from school areas."
National Guard crews along with GovGuam, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Education have been working to separate the debris to be removed from the school grounds. Three types of debris are involved. First there are piles of building materials such as boards, wallboard, insulation and other miscellaneous items. Next, there are recyclable metals in the form of tin roofing pieces, file cabinets and other types of metal. The third type of debris involves trees limbs and plants.
Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Jan-2003 15:49:38