Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Premier & Governor led VI in regional earthquake & tsunami exercise

The Virgin Islands joined nearly 400,000 residents of the Caribbean and Latin America on March 11, 2021, to participate in Caribe Wave, the annual tsunami preparedness exercise.

Schools, businesses, families and Government agencies from around the Territory practiced earthquake and tsunami safety responses of drop, cover and hold and evacuating to higher ground.

Leading by example!


Department of Disaster Management (DDM) Acting Director Mr Jasen Penn said he was pleased that so many persons joined the exercise from the private sector and the public service.

“I am especially grateful that His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin, and Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie acknowledged the importance of these types of exercises by participating alongside their staff,” he said in a press release from DDM on March 12, 2021.

He added, “I am pleased that other Government officials including the Deputy Governor, senior managers, heads of department, and even executives within the private sector all participated to set an example that I very much hope would be followed in case of an actual emergency.”

Alternate EOC location established in quick time


The director said the exercise also saw DDM officers standing up the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at its designated alternate location in the Territory’s 911 Call Centre.

“One of our departmental objectives was to exercise the physical set up of the alternate EOC location as outlined in the National Disaster Management Plan. The staff moved with efficiency and was able to establish/stand up the EOC in just a few minutes, which allowed us to test communications with many of the participants who were evacuating at the time,” Mr. Penn said.

Being ready for 'rare threat of tsunami'


Training Manager Ms Carishma Hicks thanked all participants for doing their part to help the Territory be ready for the rare but serious threat of a tsunami.

“We know from previous events that the more persons understand about the risks of hazards like tsunami and earthquake impacts, the better prepared they will be to act quickly to save the lives of themselves and their family members,” Ms Hicks said, adding, “Practicing safe response techniques helps to identify any needed improvements to emergency plans and procedures.”

This year’s scenario focused on a major earthquake occurring off the coast of Jamaica, triggering a tsunami warning around the region including in the VI. In the event of a tsunami generation in close proximity to the VI, evacuating to high ground within a few minutes and establishing the safety of structures before standing up the NEOC can save lives.

All participants are encouraged to share their feedback on the exercise via a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Caribewave21GenFeedback.

Caribe Wave is coordinated together with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Caribbean regional emergency management stakeholders including Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and regional national disaster management offices. The purpose of this exercise each year is to advance tsunami preparedness efforts in the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×