On Tuesday, July 29, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) will begin conducting Required Monthly Tests of the territory’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) capabilities which includes the Wireless Emergency Alert and the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last approximately three minutes. All Emergency Alert System messages will be issued to radio, television and cable, and Wireless Emergency Alert messages on mobile phones throughout the territory, according to a press release issued on Friday by VITEMA.
“Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and active shooter incidents can happen at any time,” said VITEMA Director Daryl D. Jaschen. “In emergencies, the IPAWS notification platform allows VITEMA to provide Virgin Islands residents and visitors with critical response and preparedness information. Additionally, we want to ensure all U.S. Virgin Islands residents become familiar with the alerts and develop confidence that they will work when needed most,” said Jaschen.
To ensure compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements, identify gaps in public emergency notification, and implement solutions, the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency will conduct Required Monthly Tests on the last Tuesday of each month. On even-numbered months, Required Monthly Tests will be conducted between 5:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. On odd-numbered months, Required Monthly Tests will be conducted between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. according to the following schedule:
July 29 between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.
August 27 between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
September 24 between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.
October 29 between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
November 26 between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.
December 31 between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
All radio, TV, and cable broadcasters must log receipts and re-broadcast the entire RMT within 60 minutes.
