Press Release

Premier's Office
Department of Information and Public Relations
Release Date:
Thursday, 29 November 2018 - 4:07pm

The  British  Virgin  Islands  (BVI)  were  badly  affected  by  hurricanes  in  2017.  Prior  to  the hurricanes, the only government system that operated independently of the telecoms operators was the VHF system that many security agencies and emergency services relied on as the primary means of communication. However, the storms damaged the VHF repeater masts and system rendering the VHF system inoperable.  The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and emergency services (fire and ambulance) needs to effectively communicate with their Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) primarily with VHF in times of disaster.  The aim is to have a VHF radio communications system to ensure that the minimum system of government communications can be maintained even in the face of the most intense hurricane. This is where the support of an international consultant is needed.