Commander, Navy Region Japan (CNRJ) hosted an inaugural emergency management symposium Jan. 19 for joint U.S. forces and local Japanese emergency management officials from nine cities that work closely with U.S. bases in and around the Kanagawa Prefecture.

The symposium was held at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka to improve integration and collaboration efforts between U.S. forces and local emergency responders on potential crisis situations such as volcanoes, earthquakes, humanitarian aid and medical responses.

"The purpose for me is to bring all functionalities together as often as possible for ease of operations during any crisis," said Sigmund E. Evans, CNRJ regional emergency management program director and symposium coordinator.

The symposium has been in development for two years, with an emphasis on bringing leaders and officials together to help eliminate confusion during an emergency event, according to Evans.

"Any time we sit down and have an open line of communication with our host nation, it is important," said Lt. Col. Barry Winnegan, United States Army Garrison Japan emergency services director.

Language was not a hurdle at the symposium as there were translators ready to help presenters and audience members reach a mutual understanding.

"It is important to understand what we (U.S. forces) are expected to do," said Donald Hoobler, 374th Airlift Wing plans and programs officer. "The Japanese sometimes think that we (U.S. forces) can provide things and provide services outside of our capabilities, and this is a great opportunity to have cross-talks to make clear the areas of our responsibly."

While defining and understanding issues is often necessary in resolving problems, sometimes just acknowledging an issue is the best place to start.

"Communication is key in this whole operation," said Professor Mikio Satomura, Kanagawa Prefecture director of Hot Springs Research Institute. "As a seismologist, it is very concerning to me that we (Japanese and Americans) have different seismology measurements."

The Japanese use the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale (JMA), a scale of 0-to-7 which has 10 levels, while the United States uses the Mercalli Intensity Scale, based on a scale of 1-to-12, according to Satomura.

"I think the symposium was very successful and productive," said Katushi Okazaki, Kanagawa Prefectural Government associate director general of Security and Disaster Management Bureau. "The discussions and questions were very successful. With this symposium, the relationship between America and Japan will surely deepen. I learned many important and critical points in emergency management, and I looking forward to working with the U.S."

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