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DDM testing Emergency Warning System on Friday

As the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane season continues, the Department of Disaster Management will commence testing of its emergency warning system in the Virgin Islands on Friday, September 26, 2019. Photo: Trip Adviser
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is encouraging schools and businesses to use the opportunity of the monthly siren activation to test their contingency plans. Photo: VINO/File
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is encouraging schools and businesses to use the opportunity of the monthly siren activation to test their contingency plans. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Department of Disaster Management will commence testing of its emergency warning system in the Virgin Islands on Friday, September 26, 2019.

Under the 'National Early Warning and Multi-Hazard Alert System', the test carried out on the fourth Friday of every month, will utilise sirens, in addition to radio stations ZBVI, ZCBN, or ZKING for test messages from the department. 

"Members of the public are reminded that text messaging is part of the Early Warning System in the BVI, therefore text messages should be issued by cellular providers CCT, Digicel and FLOW," the department stated. 

While residents have come to expect the sirens as part of testing on the fourth Friday, schools and businesses are encouraged to use the opportunity of the monthly system activation to test their contingency plans. 

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), after the passage of Tropical Storm Karen, reminded the business sector that protecting people in emergency situations remains paramount.

"I trust that the private sector is doing its part to ensure the safety of its employees," he said in relation to the storm. "As you know, I am a firm believer that the most important asset to a business is its people."

7 Responses to “DDM testing Emergency Warning System on Friday ”

  • Greg (26/09/2019, 22:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have been telling the police and DDM, we who live on the flat in Josiah's Bay near the beach, cannot hear the sirens. If any warnings were going off, we would all DIE! Who do I get to listen to us because we are sitting ducks!
  • Me. Again (27/09/2019, 04:55) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    @Greg. Text messages is also send on cell fones
    That is your Sirene
    • Just... (27/09/2019, 09:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @greg Turn on your radio and cell phone...
      • NezRez (27/09/2019, 19:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Me. Again and Just, are you serious? Who keeps a radio on at night when one has to sleep, as far as my phone goes, I am signed into DDM on my screen and have never had a message come through that I heard. I always find out the next morning when reading VINO about what happened that night. I have never heard an alarm, so why don't DDM make sure there are sirens where everyone can hear them, which would make a lot of sense?
  • Xxx (27/09/2019, 10:57) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    The DDM is a waste of time. They are the worst at telling us facts about hurricanes
  • GG (27/09/2019, 13:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Question - what is the relevance of cellphone texts when disasters strike in the middle of the night whilst persons are sleeping. Hence, why it is necessary to have sirens in all vulnerable areas.
  • NezRez (27/09/2019, 19:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was home all day too in Josiah's Bay today and never heard any siren. Why won't you listen to the people when they say they cannot hear it. We live in a flood zone big time and we need a siren at the top of the hill or lower by us so we can at least get a head start on any Tsunami that is coming our way. DDM, what is the problem?


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