CDP looking to help prepare U.S. Virgin Islands for future disasters

The Center for Domestic Preparedness may once again train responders in the Caribbean.

In 2017, following hurricanes Irma and Maria, the center traveled to Puerto Rico to help prepare the commonwealth’s public health and healthcare workers to respond to future disasters. The CDP trained more than 1,000 of the island’s professionals over the next two years, including delivering four of its most popular health-related preparedness courses multiple times.

The CDP now looks to similarly aid responders on the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The center hopes to provide training which island officials believe will improve their disaster preparedness posture. The details are not complete, but it could include similar training to that provided in Puerto Rico for its public health and healthcare workers as well as training in other responder disciplines (law enforcement, fire services, etc.).

The center hopes to solidify the training plans later this year.

The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas and about 50 other islands and have a collective population of a little more than 100,000 residents. The islands also welcome about two million tourists each year.

Like Puerto Rico, the islands received catastrophic damage from hurricanes Irma and Maria.