VITEMA

Scheduled Tsunami Siren Maintenance Begins July 8th in the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island District
2026-07-07 08:00 - 2026-07-12 17:00 UTC
The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) advises residents and visitors that scheduled maintenance and repairs will be conducted on tsunami warning sirens throughout the St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island District beginning Wednesday, July 8, 2026, and continuing through Saturday, July 11, 2026.
During this maintenance period, the public may hear tsunami warning sirens being activated as technicians inspect, test, and repair the system to ensure it remains fully operational and ready to alert the community during an actual emergency.
If you hear a tsunami siren during this period, it is part of the scheduled maintenance and is NOT an emergency. No protective action is required.
VITEMA appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as these essential repairs are completed. Routine maintenance is a critical part of ensuring the Territory’s tsunami warning system remains reliable and capable of providing timely alerts when they matter most.
Residents with questions may contact VITEMA at 340-773-2244 or 340-774-2244.
Thank you for your cooperation as we continue working to strengthen emergency preparedness across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Hurricane Awareness Course AWR 343 St. Thomas
2026-08-10 08:00 - 17:00
This eight-hour awareness-level course provides emergency managers, first responders, and community members across all sectors with a basic understanding of the latest knowledge in hurricane science, forecasting, warning, and preparedness. This course enhances the ability of state/local decision-makers to identify and describe the hazards associated with hurricanes and to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of high winds, heavy rain, and storm surge. This course is presented as an awareness-level course, which means that a successful participant in the course shall be able to identify and recognize the hazards associated with hurricanes and take necessary steps to prepare. Individuals advised to take this course are: Private Sector/Corporate Security and Safety, Public Works, Public Health, Citizen/Community Volunteer among other government officials.
To register for St. Thomas Course:
Register for Hurricane Awareness (AWR-343) delivery # 4409 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Use Code: 09278

Hurricane Awareness Course AWR 343 St. Croix
2026-08-12 08:00 - 17:00
This eight-hour awareness-level course provides emergency managers, first responders, and community members across all sectors with a basic understanding of the latest knowledge in hurricane science, forecasting, warning, and preparedness. This course enhances the ability of state/local decision-makers to identify and describe the hazards associated with hurricanes and to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of high winds, heavy rain, and storm surge. This course is presented as an awareness-level course, which means that a successful participant in the course shall be able to identify and recognize the hazards associated with hurricanes and take necessary steps to prepare.
To register for St. Croix Course:
Register for Hurricane Awareness (AWR-343) delivery # 4410 in Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands
Use Code: 28170

CERT Class St. Croix
2026-08-14 08:00 - 17:00
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training is a hands-on educational course that teaches everyday citizens vital disaster response and life-saving skills for when professional first responders are overwhelmed or delayed.
Disaster Preparedness: Identifies local natural and man-made hazards and teaches you how to secure your home and family before, during, and after an event
Fire Safety & Suppression: Covers fire chemistry, identifying fire hazards, safely using a fire extinguisher, and putting out small, manageable fires
Disaster Medical Operations (Parts 1 & 2): Teaches simple triage (sorting patients by injury severity), opening airways, controlling heavy bleeding, treating shock, performing head-to-toe assessments, and setting up clean treatment areas
Light Search and Rescue: Explains how to size up structural damage, plan safe search techniques, safely remove debris, and lift or extricate victims without risking your own safety
Team Organization & Disaster Psychology: Introduces basic command structures (like the Incident Command System) to organize spontaneous volunteers, alongside coping with the psychological stress experienced by victims and rescuers.
Final Disaster Simulation: A practical, live exercise where participants work as a team to test their new rescue, medical, and fire-suppression skills.
Click the link below to apply for the course, after you fill out the course, please email to certusvi@vitema.vi.gov:
cert-form-english.pdf

Non-Profit Security Grant FY26
2026-08-20 08:00 - 2026-09-18 17:00
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) – FY 2026
VITEMA is announcing a new funding opportunity through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) FY 2026, administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS-FEMA). The NSGP provides funding for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack.
VITEMA serves as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for this program in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nonprofit organizations must apply through the VITEMA Grants Division, which will compile and submit a final application package to FEMA for all territorial sub-applicants via FEMA GO.
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Frequently Asked Questions document before applying. More information here.
A complete application must include:

A Vulnerability Assessment
A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), obtained through SAM.gov (not required at application, but required prior to any subaward)
The completed FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) form — must be downloaded and completed in Adobe, as it is not web-fillable
A Mission Statement
Self-certification of organization type within the IJ (e.g., house of worship/religious entity, secular medical or educational institution, or other nonprofit), which is subject to verification by VITEMA and DHS/FEMA

Third Thursday Tsunami Siren Test
2026-08-20 11:00 - 11:30
VITEMA will conduct its monthly tsunami siren test across the U.S. Virgin Islands. These tests ensure the territory’s early warning system remains operational and that residents and visitors are familiar with the alert sound. Testing Schedule St. Croix — 11:00 AM St. Thomas & St. John — 11:15 AM If you hear the sirens outside of the scheduled test time, treat it as a real emergency — move to higher ground immediately and follow guidance from VITEMA and local authorities.

Atlantic Hurricane Season Radio Talk Series with Neville James
2026-08-26 08:00 - 09:00
Are you ready for hurricane season? Tune in to Atlantic Hurricane Season Radio Talk on WTJX NPR every last Wednesday of the month at 8 AM as VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen sits down with host Neville James to share critical information on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from tropical weather events. Stay informed. Stay prepared.

Operation Blue Skies
2026-09-03 08:00 - 2026-09-05 15:00
Operation Blue Skies – Sandbag Distribution
3–5 September (Thursday–Saturday)
VITEMA, in coordination with DPW, VIFEMS, DHS, and the Office of the Territorial ADA Coordinator, will hold Operation Blue Skies, a territory-wide sandbag distribution event ahead of hurricane season. Residents may pick up 6 sandbags per household (self-help; sandbags will be filled, not empty).
Distribution Sites & Times:
DPW — Anna’s Hope, Sub-Base, Susannaberg

Thursday, September 3: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday, September 4: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

DPW — Water Island

Saturday, September 12: 8:30 am (via barge) — 200 filled sandbags total

VIFEMS — Grove Place, Cotton Valley, Omar Brown, Tutu

Thursday, September 3: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday, September 4: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, September 5: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

DHS / ADA — Seniors Unable to Leave Home
Call (340) 514-9513, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Reservations: Tuesday, August 18 – Friday, August 21
Home Delivery: Wednesday, August 26 – Friday, August 28
