The Department of Disaster Management DDM) recongnises that volunteerism  is one of oldest response mechanisms used in disaster situations and in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, hence the spearheading of an online initiative.  It is also recognised that the first response, both spontaneous and organised, generally comes from local communities.  As such vlounteers constitute a very important resource to to the disaster management mechanism in Virgin Islands.

The VI Volunteer Programme Open to all domiciled residents of the Virgin Islands and those visitingn our island for 6 months or more.  To be eligible for active memebership, persons should be between 18-50 years old,n possess a community spirit and be committed to using his or her ablilities to enhance disaster management in the Virgin Islands.

The online Registry can be accessed via the Department's website at www.bviddm.comor directly using the link http://173.0.134.71/BVIVolunteers/.  Persons interesting in becoming part of the volunteer Registry and who are not able to access the online registration can contact Cecil Jeffrey, Community Relations Officer at 468-4200.

The sirens located throughout the BVI form part of the Territory's Early Warning System.  Sirens are designed for outdoor use, therefore they are largely heard by persons who are outdoors when they sounded.  The national Siren System and National Emergency Brodcast System are tested at 2:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of every month.  As a part of the test, the public is asked to tune into ZBVI, ZROD, ZKING or ZCCR for test messages from the Department of Disaster Management.

The public is not expected to react once the siren is sounded, as this is only a test.  However, some schools routinely use the opportunity to conduct their emergency drills with students evacuating school premises as they woukd in the event of an actual hazard event.

It is easy to differentiate between the testing of the siren and when they are sounded for an actual emergency,  For the monthly test, the sirens emit short audio burst but in real emergency, the sound would be continuous.

The Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Report primarily assesses the "susceptibility" of an area to a hazard.  When sufficient information is available on the intensity and likelihood of such an event occurring, an indication of the level of "risk" is provided and recommendations are documented to guide angle of ut and to help reduce level of risk as much as poissible.  The information provided in the hazard Vulnerability Assessment Report is as inclusive as possible enabling individuals to Validate their own assesment.

This report contains high level assessments of hazards relating to some natural or man-made events that man-made events that may affect this property. The report is based on geological mapping and scientific models.  The report does not replace a site investigation or an emegineering report.  The purpose of the hazard report is to provide a better understanding of the hazrads that may affect a property.

HVAs can be requested by Planning Authority, the Town and Country Planning Department or individual.  Applicants can collect a form from the DDM office in MacNamara or download the Application Form from DDM's website (http://bviddm.com/document-center/HVA%20Form.pdf)

The cost for private development is US$75.00 and $250.00 for commercial development.  The report will be completed within four (4 weeks) of submittal to the DDM. If further time is needed due to insufficient information or other defined reasons, the applicant will be contacted.  For further information, please contact the Senior Technical Planning Manager at (284) 468-4200.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is the designated administrative hub of national disaster management mechanism in the Virgin Islands.  It provides the centralized coordination and control of emergency or disaster response and relief mechanisms on a 24 hour basis.

DDM serves as the overall coodinating agency to ensure implementation of the policied and plans that have been set by National Disaster Management Council.  DDM maintains the office in a state of rediness for the activatiion on the NEOC at short notice. The activation of the NEOC requires a significant change in roles and responsibilites among DDM staff. Guidelines have been developed and tested which allows for a smooth transition.