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Mark Walters, Director and Al Javois, Chair,

VITEMA's Report to the NTHMP. Mark Walters, Director and Al Javois, Chair, Territorial Tsunami Preparedness Working Group (TTPWG) NTHMP Annual Workshop Pasadena, CA January 26, 2010. Accomplishments.

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Mark Walters, Director and Al Javois, Chair,

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  1. VITEMA's Report to the NTHMP Mark Walters, Director and Al Javois, Chair, Territorial Tsunami Preparedness Working Group (TTPWG) NTHMP Annual Workshop Pasadena, CA January 26, 2010

  2. Accomplishments □ The accomplishment that has allowed the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) to successfully petition the NTHMP: • The signing of Legislative Act 7074, by Governor John deJongh into law on July 20, 20099 (Office of Homeland Security, Public Assistance (OMB) and 911 Call Centers (VIPD) merged with VITEMA • VITEMA is now provided with a more efficient organizational structure for emergency response • Governor deJongh nominated Mark A. Walters as the VITEMA Director and the VI Legislature approved his nomination

  3. Accomplishments ,cont’d • The new Director returned tsunami readiness to top VITEMA priority

  4. Issues • Previous efforts towards tsunami readiness had not developed at the same pace on the different islands – St Croix’s progress was not matched by other islands (St. Thomas and St. John) • Previous funding support had not be activated

  5. Solutions □A tsunami ad hoc committee had been formed on the island of St. Croix as a pilot project with the following sub-committees: • Communications • Warning Committee • Education and Outreach Committee • Field reconnaissance at potential tsunami-ready sites

  6. Territorial Tsunami Preparedness Working Group (TTPWG) • The TTPWG assimilated the activities and members from the pre-existing ad hoc committee • The formation of the TTPWG included non-VI government membership that had not been engaged before: ─ HOVENSA Oil Refinery (PRIVATE) ─ Virgin Islands National Park (VINPS) ─ Magens Bay Authority (Semi Autonomous Agency) ─ American Red Cross (NGO) ─ Hotel on The Cay (NGO)

  7. Territorial Tsunami Preparedness Working Group (TTPWG)

  8. Selection of Sites for Tsunami Readiness Pilot Projects • Site Selection Decision Matrix deployed(44 Coastal Communities) • Criteria included: • population density, 1=few; 5=very low • location and elevation of site, 1=high above sea level; 5=very low elevation • proximity to safe areas, 1=very near to safe elevation; 5=very far • feasibility of achieving tsunami readiness

  9. Selection of Sites for Tsunami Readiness Pilot Projects • Five sites chosen: Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Frenchtown, Gallows Bay, Magens Bay

  10. Comment “We must not become lost in our hubris [*] and learn once more the terrible price that must be paid for our failures.” Mission Specialist Charles Camarda *Note: hubris [hyoo’bris] noun 1. pride - excessive pride or arrogance 2. excessive ambition - the excessive pride and ambition that usually leads to the downfall of a hero in classical tragedy

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