VITEMA Continues Required Monthly Testing of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen. (VITEMA photo)

On Tuesday, July 29, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) began conducting Required Monthly Tests (RMTs) of the territory’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) capabilities, which includes the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last approximately three minutes. All WEA and EAS messages will be issued to radio, television and cable, and on mobile phones throughout the territory.

“Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and active shooter incidents can happen at any time,” said VITEMA Director Daryl D. Jaschen. “In emergencies, the IPAWS notification platform allows VITEMA to provide Virgin Islands residents and visitors with critical response and preparedness information. Additionally, we want to ensure all U.S. Virgin Islands residents become familiar with the alerts and develop confidence that they will work when needed most,” said Jaschen.

To ensure compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements, identify gaps in public emergency notification, and implement solutions, VITEMA will conduct RMTs on the last Tuesday of each month. On even-numbered months, RMTs will be conducted between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. On odd-numbered months, RMTs will be conducted between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. See schedule below:

Dates and Times
July 29 — between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.
August 27 — between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
September 24 — between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. [Because of Tropical Storm Karen, it has been changed to September 27 — between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.]
October 29 — between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
November 26 — between 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.
December 31 — between 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.

All radio, TV and cable broadcasters must log receipts and re-broadcast the entire RMT within 60 minutes.