GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OTHERS COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE VI HURRICANE
PREPAREDNESS
[https://www.fema.gov/news-release/20200220/government-agencies-and-others-collaborate-improve-vi-hurricane-preparedness]


Release Date: 
août 15, 2018 

ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands – As we approach peak hurricane season,
federal and territorial emergency response leaders continue to
emphasize families prepare to sustain themselves in the immediate
aftermath of a devastating storm. At the same time, government
agencies have been closely collaborating and training to improve their
readiness to meet residents’ emergency needs.

In July, federal officials collaborated with the Virgin Islands
Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), Red Cross, National
Weather Service, and local departments and agencies during a four-day
workshop to improve the territory’s readiness. This forum provided
territorial and federal partners an opportunity to identify any gaps
and shortfalls, while collectively identifying solutions.

The 2018 hurricane season presents a new set of challenges as damage
remains from hurricanes Irma and Maria. FEMA staff have been in the
territory since last September and nearly 400 personnel remain on the
ground in support of recovery operations.

“Last year’s hurricane season required unprecedented support from
emergency responders in the territory,” said Federal Coordinating
Officer William L. Vogel. “This year we’ve been working alongside
our local partners to identify and improve our capabilities to better
serve Virgin Islanders during future disaster operations.”

The ability to effectively communicate during and immediately after a
disaster is essential. FEMA has instituted regular operational checks
of primary, secondary, and contingency communications systems to
ensure our ability to execute emergency response activities.
Additionally, VITEMA has transitioned to a new emergency notification
system, Alert VI, which provides Virgin Islanders quick and reliable
emergency notifications and public service announcements.

FEMA has pre-staged necessary commodities and generators across the
territory, including a three-day supply of food and water. Generators
have been identified and staged to support critical infrastructure
facilities following any severe weather event. Through FEMA
Headquarters additional commodities are maintained at strategically
located distribution centers throughout the United States, including
in Puerto Rico, where more than 5.4 million liters of water, 3.6
million meals, 600 generators, 10,000 blankets, 80,000 tarps and
30,000 rolls of plastic sheeting are stockpiled to serve Puerto Rico
and the USVI. 

Federal and local partners will continue to respond to the needs of
survivors, helping rebuild stronger and more resilient communities.

####

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after a
disaster.

To sign up for emergency, weather related, public safety and service
disruption alerts on the Virgin Islands, sign up for Alert VI
[https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736729008#/login] . Follow
us on social media at twitter.com/femaregion2
[https://twitter.com/femaregion2] and
www.facebook.com/FEMAUSVirginIslands
[http://www.facebook.com/FEMAUSVirginIslands].