In a continuing effort to heighten awareness about the importance of being prepared, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency is hosting the 2012 Annual All Hazards Preparedness Expoterritorywide, May 24 – 27.
The expo is being held on:
– Thursday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frank Powell Park, Cruz Bay, St. John.
– Friday, May 25, 4 – 9 p.m., Emancipation Garden, St. Thomas.
– Saturday, May 26, 2 – 5 p.m., Water Island.
– Sunday, May 27, 1 – 5 p.m., Christiansted National Park, St. Croix.
The theme of the 2012 Expo is “Preparing Together,” which reflects a whole-community approach to emergency management. While the federal and local government will bring all of its resources to bear, the territory’s resiliency will depend on how well we prepare as a community – individuals, families and businesses, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
The expo brings together local and federal government agencies, voluntary organizations and local businesses that will provide the community with information on how to better prepare for and recover from disaster. Participating agencies include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Caribbean Area, the VI National Guard, the US Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross, Innovative and a host of local government agencies.
“This is a unique opportunity for the Virgin Islands community to find out what they need to know to be ready for disasters and emergencies – not only hurricanes but earthquakes, flooding, fires and tsunamis. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about how all of these entities work together to support the territory through a disaster,” Elton Lewis, VITEMA director, said. “We encourage everyone to come out, bring the family, bring a friend and be informed.”
An opening ceremony will be held at each venue featuring speakers from the National Weather Service at San Juan, the Office of V.I. Delegate and the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Events on St. Thomas and St. Croix will kick off with a first responder motorcade and flyover of the V.I. National Guard’s fixed rotary-wing helicopter. On each day of the expo, VITEMA will also raffle a three-day emergency supply kit.
Expo sponsors include Innovative, Diageo, the VI Lottery, the VI National Guard, FEMA, Glacier Energy, Financial Trust Company Inc., Frenchman’s Cove, Choice Communications and WSVI TV Channel 8. The VI Department of Education also partnered with VITEMA for an Expo Essay Contest.
