BVI Participates in Great ShakeOut Drill
The Department of Disaster Management is urging Virgin Islands residents and businesses to take part in today's Great ShakeOut earthquake drill. The exercise encourages everyone across the territory to practice the vital Drop, Cover, and Hold On safety response.
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has called on residents, schools, and businesses across the Virgin Islands to participate in today's Great ShakeOut earthquake drill. The territory has once again joined millions of participants worldwide in the global exercise, which aims to strengthen community readiness and response during major seismic events.
Disaster preparedness officials emphasized that real earthquakes strike without warning, making routine practice and immediate reaction essential. During the drill, participants are instructed to follow the internationally recognized protective steps: Drop to hands and knees, take Cover under a sturdy piece of furniture or protect the head and neck, and Hold On until the simulated shaking ends.
The Virgin Islands sits in an active seismic region near the boundary of the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates and adjacent to the Puerto Rico Trench. Minor tremors are frequently recorded in the surrounding waters, highlighting the ongoing importance of maintaining household and workplace emergency plans.
DDM noted that registration remains open for individuals, government agencies, and private sector organizations wishing to document their participation. The department continues to urge all residents to keep emergency supplies stocked and remain attentive to official broadcast alerts and safety advisories.
Primary source: BVI Disaster Management