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The V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that it will test and evaluate forty-four newly installed tsunami sirens from 11:00 to 1:00 pm Thursday, September 29th on all four islands.
VITEMA said the test will have a forty-one second tone-announcement-tone sequence. The announcement will state “This is Only a Test. This is a test of the territory-wide alert system.” This will be followed by a second tone-announcement-tone sequence lasting 39 seconds stating “All Clear, All Clear. Please resume to your normal duties.”
According to the release, all announcements will be in English and is designed to alert individuals within ¼ mile of the siren location. The tone is designed to cover a much larger area, up to one mile, and may be enhanced or reduced in range by existing winds.
The agency said it is aware that two of the Sirens on St. Thomas, located in Fortuna and Lindbergh Bay, have already been identified as needing repair and the repair contract has been awarded. The repair is focused on proprietary parts of the siren which are outside the scope of the Public Assistance Recovery project that was completed earlier this year.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the Territorial Siren Testing Initiative, according to the release. The volunteers would need to be about a block away from the siren pole itself and complete a short form as to volume and clarity of the messages being broadcast.
To volunteer on St Croix, please contact Regina Browne, Deputy Director of Planning and Preparedness at 340-422-1350.
To volunteer on St Thomas/St John/Water Island, please contact Lisa Ann James, Emergency Management Outreach Coordinator at 340-774-2244 ext. 6825.
“The testing of our Tsunami Warning Sirens on a continuing basis is an important part of building confidence throughout the Territory as well as educating individuals located near the sirens on their capabilities as well as limitations. Get to know your Tone,” stated VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen.
