Sept. 6, 2007 — Cruz Bay Park was abuzz Thursday as the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency and other St. John emergency response organizations passed out information at the annual VITEMA Hurricane Preparedness Fair.
"The more people are informed, the better prepared they will be," Alvis Christian, who serves as VITEMA's deputy director on St. John, said.
He said the park was a good location because it serves as St. John's crossroads. As people wandered through, a visitor from St. Lucia was picking up pamphlets about hurricane preparedness.
"We should be prepared," Barbara Charles said.
Steve Parris, VITEMA's acting state director, pointed out that emergency management starts at home.
"We need the community to be aware," he said.
The St. John chapter of the American Red Cross had free pamphlets on emergency preparedness and was selling red duffle bags filled with personal items needed in an emergency.
"Gloves, blankets, glow sticks, emergency rations…," Carol McGuinness, who heads up Red Cross activities on St. John, said as she ticked off the list of items. She said anyone who wants to buy a kit for $30 should contact her at 776-6359.
Paul Jordan, president of the St. John Amateur Radio Club, was on hand with his equipment in hopes of enticing people into the ham radio world.
Jason Mathurin, who works as a red cap at the St. John ferry dock, said he was definitely interested.
"I like the radio and I like to talk to people," he said.
The Public Works Department and the V.I. National Park were both showing off their machinery.
Dale Brathwaite, who described himself as the "do-anything" guy at Public Works, said the backhoe was good for moving large amounts of debris after a storm.
Glen Sprauve of the park's maintenance division said the Bob Cat helps in cleaning drains.
Mahlon Pickering, an enforcement officer with the Planning and Natural Resources Department, said his job was to assist in securing the ferries and barges when a storm threatened.
Firefighter Raphael Wesselhoft, on hand with one of the Fire Service's fire trucks, said the department was as prepared as it could be, but still faced challenges. "Once you leave town there are no fire hydrants," he said.
He said this means that the firefighters have to depend on tankers to supply water.
Wesselhoft also said that when a storm threatens, sand and sand bags will be available at fire stations in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.
Police Ofc. Miguel Perez, who coordinates emergency services for the Police Department on St. John, said the department was prepared. He said should a hurricane threaten, the officers will work 12-hour shifts instead of the usual eight because most of them come from St. Thomas. This will allow the department to have two shifts a day instead of three.
Alfredo Alejo, captain at St. John Rescue, reminded everyone to stay indoors should a storm hit. He also urged boaters to stay ashore during a storm.
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