Virgin Islands to Test E911 System on St. John Following Completion of Street Addressing Grid

E911 system testing on St. John uses a new street addressing grid to improve emergency response times and accuracy, making the Virgin Islands the first Caribbean location to implement a standardized address system with a Master Address Repository

  • Staff Consortium
  • January 24, 2025
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The Office of Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach has announced the launch of E911 system testing on St. John, an initiative aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities across the Virgin Islands.

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division will conduct these tests in partnership with the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, V.I. Police Department, and V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services from February 3 to February 6, 2025​.

The Enhanced 911 (E911) system automatically provides emergency responders with a caller's precise location and phone number when a call is made to emergency services. This functionality ensures a faster and more accurate response, particularly when callers are unable to communicate their location. The upcoming tests will evaluate whether the recently completed street addressing grid on St. John successfully integrates with the E911 system to deliver these results​.

The newly implemented street addressing grid introduces a standardized system of addresses based on national guidelines. It enables precise location identification, helping emergency responders locate incidents more efficiently. By routing calls to the appropriate emergency response centers, the system is expected to reduce response times and improve overall public safety.

Mr. Roach stressed the grid’s potential impact, stating, “With the grid in place, demonstrating a vast increase in the amount of location data, we expect to see increased efficiency—both in timely response and in accuracy of location—when our residents experience emergencies. This is a critical step which underscores the Street Addressing Initiative's importance in bolstering public safety across the Virgin Islands”.

According Mr. Roach, the testing phase will involve mock emergency scenarios with participation from residents and community members. Emergency responders will utilize the street addressing grid’s full capabilities, including location identification and vehicular routing/navigation, to simulate real-life emergencies. This hands-on approach will allow agencies to fine-tune the system and address any challenges before full implementation​.

The U.S. Virgin Islands is the first location in the Caribbean to implement a standardized address system with a Master Address Repository. This achievement sets a regional benchmark for navigation and accessibility improvements, benefiting residents, businesses, and emergency services alike. The initiative aligns with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's mission to improve essential services across the territory​.

For additional information about the Street Addressing Initiative or details on community naming protocols, residents can contact the SAI team at 340-693-6191 or email SAI@lgo.vi.gov​.

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