Col. Clayton Sutton, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, led the workshop’s opening session, welcoming executives, directors, and senior leaders from local government agencies, emergency management organizations, and partner entities.
Sutton emphasized the importance of unified planning and collaboration as the territory continues to refine its readiness posture for hurricanes, infrastructure disruptions, and emerging threats.
“This workshop brings together the people who make disaster response more manageable,” Sutton said. “Our goal is to ensure every agency understands not only its own responsibilities, but how we integrate as a team when the Virgin Islands needs us most.”
The All-Hazards Workshop provided a structured environment for leaders to review current plans, identify capability gaps, and support communication pathways across agencies. Over the three days, participants engaged in scenario-based discussions, operational planning sessions, and capability assessments focused on improving coordinated
response during complex emergencies.
Key focus areas for the 2026 workshop include:
• Interagency communication and information sharing
• Emergency operations center coordination
• Logistics and resource management during large-scale incidents
• Continuity of operations planning
• Integration of National Guard capabilities with territorial response frameworks
The workshop also supports ongoing efforts to enhance the Virgin Islands’ resilience by aligning local plans with federal and regional emergency management standards.
The Virgin Islands National Guard continues to serve as a critical partner in disaster preparedness and response, working year-round with territorial agencies to ensure the Virgin Islands remains ready for any hazard.
