Local News
Leaders Collaborate to Plan Coordinated Response for Hurricane Season
Government agencies and key partners pledged to continue working together to ensure that the Virgin Islands are as prepared as possible for the hurricane season.
The annual meeting of the National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) held on June 22, was chaired by His Excellency the Governor, John J. Rankin, who emphasized the importance of close collaboration in ensuring adequate preparedness. The Premier, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, echoed the sentiment, thanking the council for their commitment to improving the Territory’s resilience.
Updates were shared on key actions taken so far, including inspections of marine and land-based emergency shelters, structural integrity checks for key public facilities, repairs at schools, ghut clearance, training for first responders, and testing of emergency plans.
Deputy Governor David D. Archer, Jr. provided an overview of the 2023 Public Service Readiness Assessment, which aims to gather data about response plans, emergency operations plans, and measures to protect public officers and equipment.
The group also heard reports on key public sector readiness from Director of Disaster Management Jasen Penn and on disaster risk reduction activities from BVI Red Cross Director Stacy Lloyd. DDM Meteorologist Andrew Jackson provided a hurricane season outlook.
The meeting marked the council’s first in-person gathering since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. NDMC is responsible for carrying out actions in keeping with the Disaster Management Act and the Virgin Islands Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy. The group includes Permanent Secretaries, the Financial Secretary, as well as leaders from key government departments, statutory bodies, and non-governmental partners.
Local News
Governor’s Office Delivers Trauma Risk Management Training to Frontline Officers in Virgin Islands
The Governor’s Office, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, this week delivered Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) training to frontline officers in the Virgin Islands, including members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, prison officers and volunteers from Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR).
The program is designed to help first responders recognize and manage the psychological effects of traumatic incidents encountered in the course of their duties. Participants received instruction on identifying early signs of stress-related responses and providing peer support following critical events.
According to the Governor’s Office, the training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen welfare and resilience within frontline services across the territory.
“By strengthening welfare and resilience within our front line services, we are ensuring that the people who protect us are supported themselves,” the Governor’s Office said in a statement.
Officials thanked participants for their involvement and acknowledged the trainer for leading the sessions.
Trauma Risk Management, commonly known as TRiM, is a peer-support process used in emergency services and military settings to assess and address the mental health impact of traumatic exposure.
Maya Marcellin, Teen Universe British Virgin Islands, departed the territory on Feb. 22 for Nicaragua, where she will compete in the Teen Universe International Pageant.
Marcellin left the British Virgin Islands on Sunday accompanied by family members and supporters as she begins representing the territory in the international competition. The pageant will bring together contestants from several countries to compete in preliminary events leading up to the final show.
Supporters gathered prior to her departure to offer encouragement as she travels to Nicaragua to represent the British Virgin Islands on the international stage.
Governor’s Office Delivers Trauma Risk Management Training to Frontline Officers in Virgin Islands
Maya Marcellin Departs for Teen Universe International Pageant in Nicaragua
Andrea Wilson brings Caribbean colour to the NYFW debut
