From the eastern-most U.S. territory of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands to Guam in the far west, EMRTC delivered mobile courses to all five of the U.S. inhabited territories during the 2024 calendar year.
The past year of mobile courses taught on all five U.S. territories began in January with the DART course delivered in both St. Croix and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The DART course was also provided in February in Puerto Rico, along with the UASPD course. In March and May, EMRTC supported TEEX in offering the MPRBI course in multiple locations in Puerto Rico. Three UPSBI C courses were delivered in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in June. In October, multiple courses were delivered in the western territories, with DART in American Samoa, HME, RBI, and PBI in American Samoa, HME/ILERSBA in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, and RBI, PBI, and HME courses offered in Guam in late October.
William Walsh, from the FBI National Academy and Retired Chief Deputy of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, noted the enthusiasm in learning and the warm greeting from course participants. Walsh recently traveled to St. Thomas to present the UPSBI course. While there, he was greeted with hugs and handshakes from the course participants, many of whom had attended residential classes at New Mexico Tech. Walsh noted “the professionalism, as well as the hospitality and friendship was amazing.” He described them as “great first responders who care deeply about their community and the United States.”
John Nice, who along with Rob Aplaugh delivered courses in Guam and Saipan, had an equally warm reception from hosts and conference attendees, several of whom had trained previously at New Mexico Tech in Socorro and in Playas. Nice noted, “They were very appreciative that we traveled to them so more could attend training. Personally, it’s a hard trip but well worth getting training to these undeserved locations. Their typhoon season, like our hurricane season made for some difficulties that I was thankful having a senior instructor with me on the trip that could navigate these issues….. way to be there Rob!”
HME/ILERSBA training in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Sentiments like the one shared below point to the desire for the return of of these mobile courses to the territories in the next year.
“I am looking forward to working with the team to bring New Mexico Tech back to American Samoa in 2025. Job well done to you and your team!”
~ Janna State Training Officer
Territorial Emergency Management Coordination Office (TEMCO)
Am. Samoa Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS)
