Long Bay Early Warning Siren Expands Territory
The Department of Disaster Management has installed a new outdoor early warning siren in Long Bay, Tortola, bringing the Territory's total network to 17 units. The solar-powered siren improves emergency coverage for coastal residents and visitors across the area from Long Bay Beach to parts of Smuggler's Cove.
Residents and visitors in and around the Long Bay community on Tortola are now better equipped to respond to sudden emergencies following the installation of a new outdoor early warning siren. The addition expands the Territory's network of outdoor early warning sirens to 17 units across the Virgin Islands.
Installed in October by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), the unit is fully integrated into the Virgin Islands National Early Warning Multi-hazard Alerting System. The siren was successfully activated during the regular monthly emergency test. Technical assessments and initial testing confirm that the alert tone carries approximately 2,500 feet from the site, providing acoustic coverage from the entrance of Long Bay Beach through portions of Smuggler's Cove, depending on atmospheric conditions.
Director of Disaster Management Jasen Penn stated that the new installation demonstrates the Virgin Islands' ongoing commitment to expanding life-safety alerting mechanisms and improving public access to early warnings. He noted that outdoor sirens serve as a vital component of the multi-hazard system because they reach people who are outdoors, individuals who may not have access to mobile phones or radios, and visitors who are in the Territory for the first time.
Outside of scheduled testing periods, the sounding of an early warning siren signals a major threat, such as a tsunami or other sudden danger requiring immediate public attention. Penn advised that anyone who hears the siren should promptly check official DDM platforms to obtain specific instructions, including the DDM app, official website, WhatsApp Channel, Facebook page, or local radio broadcasts.
At the same time, emergency officials emphasized that sirens cannot signal every immediate hazard and that natural warning signs must never be ignored. Coastal residents who experience a prolonged or strong earthquake are urged to evacuate inland or to higher ground immediately without waiting for a siren activation.
The Long Bay community was selected for the new unit due to its dense coastal population and a recognized gap in existing outdoor alert coverage. Penn expressed gratitude to the various technical partners involved in the project, noting that the unit represents a shared community resource.
The installation was completed through a joint effort involving the Office of the Deputy Governor, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, and the BVI Electricity Corporation. The siren is primarily powered by solar energy, ensuring it remains fully operational during widespread electrical outages.
Disaster management officials continue to remind the public that maintaining multiple redundant channels for emergency updates is essential for household and personal preparedness.
Primary source: BVI Disaster Management