SANTA RITA, Guam — Guam's search and rescue (SAR) community convened for their first quarterly meeting of 2025 on January 8 at the Port of Guam, aiming to consolidate life-saving efforts throughout the region. Commanded by leaders from various agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Guam Fire Department, and the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron-25, the assembly focused on improving operational collaboration and response efficacy across the island and its surrounding waters.
Among the key attendees was Cmdr. Mark Klein, commanding officer of U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron-25, who discussed unit procedures with other SAR leaders. Lt. Kira Adams, chief of the U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC), took charge of opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for effective SAR operations. "We deeply value the partnerships we have across Guam's emergency response community. This collaboration is fundamental to ensuring effective SAR operations in our challenging environment," she stated.
The meeting included representatives from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, Guam Police Department, Joint Region Marianas dispatch, and Naval Hospital Guam's emergency medicine department. They collectively analyzed historical data from fiscal years 2023 and 2024, discussing complex cases to identify lessons learned. This data-driven approach served to refine coordination strategies and prioritize safety objectives.
One of the pressing issues highlighted during the session is the alarming increase in water-related fatalities. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, there were six confirmed deaths associated with water incidents in fiscal year 2023, which escalated to eleven fatalities the following year, and the current fiscal year has already seen six deaths. These figures do not encompass other potential incidents managed by the Guam Fire Department.
“Given our strategic location and weather challenges within this region, the effectiveness of our SAR operations hinges on the strong relationships we've built with our local and federal partners,” Battalion Chief Roderick Meno mentioned, emphasizing the shared responsibility of SAR teams.
SAR professionals insist on the necessity of public preparedness before embarking on outdoor ventures. Strategies are being communicated to residents and visitors to help minimize risks associated with recreational activities such as hiking and ocean adventures. "It's important to know emergency responders do not actively monitor social media channels. Please don't use them to report distress except as a last resort," Adams cautioned, highlighting the need for effective communication.
During the meeting, several key safety items were promoted: exploring landscapes with partners, recognizing communication dead zones, utilizing personal locator beacons for accurate rescue signals, and changing voicemail messages to include one’s location during emergencies. Other recommended practices included checking weather conditions prior to excursions, planning dives thoroughly, and taking boating safety education courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
“Plan your dives and stick to your plans,” urged Meno, reflecting on the risks taken when plans change spontaneously. The conversation guided participants toward the unique challenges of Guam’s geography, including its rugged terrain and resource limitations.
To mitigate these challenges, emergency responders discussed bolstering interagency communications and resource sharing. By streamlining efforts, they aim to optimize SAR operations and tackle emergencies effectively across Micronesia.
The meeting concluded with calls to the community for proactive safety measures, encouraging individuals to be mindful of the risks associated with recreational activities. "The U.S. Coast Guard and its partners are committed to protecting lives and ensuring safe seas across Micronesia. We urge the community to promote safety and awareness to prevent emergencies before they occur," Adams explained.
The SAR meeting at the Port of Guam showcased the unwavering dedication of Guam's emergency response community. There is hope such collaborative efforts will not only improve response times during emergencies but will also progressively lower the number of preventable tragedies within the vibrant yet demanding backdrop of Guam’s natural beauty.