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VITEMA's Report on Tsunami Preparedness Initiatives in the Virgin Islands

Detailed report on VITEMA's progress in tsunami readiness, including legislative achievements, organizational improvements, and site selection for pilot projects. Collaboration with TTPWG, ad hoc committees, and key stakeholders.

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VITEMA's Report on Tsunami Preparedness Initiatives in the Virgin Islands

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  1. VITEMA's Report to the NTHMP Mark Walters, State Director and Al Javois, Chair, VI Territorial Tsunami Preparedness Working Group NTHMP Annual Workshop Pasadena, CA January ___, 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, 2009 • VITEMA is now provided with a more efficient organizational structure for emergency response • Governor deJongh nominated Mark A. Walters as the VITEMA State Director and the VI Legislature approved his nomination • The new State Director returned tsunami readiness to top VITEMA priority

  3. 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. • Previous funding support had not be activated.

  4. 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 □When the TTPWG was formed, the ad hoc committee’s achievements were assimilated in to the TTPWG

  5. 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 • Virgin Islands National Park (VINP) • Magens Bay Authority

  6. Territorial Tsunami Preparedness Working Group (TTPWG)

  7. Selection of Sites for Tsunami Readiness Pilot Projects • Site Selection Decision Matrix deployed • Criteria included: • population density • location and elevation of site • proximity to safe areas • feasibility of achieving tsunami readiness • Five sites chosen: Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Frenchtown, Gallows Bay, Magens Bay

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