A Christmas Message from the Director
Posted by Director Lewis on December 21, 2011 at 6:00 PM AST

Christmas is not a time, nor it is a season, but it is a state of mind. Christmas is a time to cherish peace and goodwill. It is a time to be plenteous in mercy, and it is a time to have the real spirit of Christmas.

At this time we the people of the United States Virgin Islands ought to be truly grateful that the Season does not meet us with the challenges that are being faced by many of our international and regional brothers and sisters who have been ravaged by disaster. In this regard we ought to give thanks, but most importantly we ought to show empathy by remembering the afflicted in our thoughts and prayers.

For the coming year I send only the best of wishes to you and your families. Although, we hope that the upcoming year reflects the year 2011, we are cognizant that we cannot prevent nor accurately predict when or where a disaster will strike, hence in my capacity as Director of VITEMA, and Homeland Security Advisor, I ask for your continued cooperation and partnership as I try to effectively and efficiently execute the duties of my office, so that VITEMA can better serve you.

I believe that strong partnerships are key in emergency management. This has been my charge since assuming my role at VITEMA. I am aware that by building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, and with the private sector - individuals, families, nonprofits and businesses that VITEMA would be able to ensure the Territory's ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response, and building the capacity to recover.

It would be remiss of me not to mention my mantra. My mantra has been and continues to be, that emergency management is a shared responsibility. I firmly believe that government cannot effectively build resilience to disasters by itself. In these fiscally trying times, individuals, families and communities must work to mitigate risks, prepare themselves and their communities for disasters, build local relationships and partnerships that will help government agencies respond to, and care for those impacted by disasters, and develop the capacity for short-term and long-term recovery from disasters.

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To Everything There is a Season…!
Posted by Director Lewis on November 30, 2011 at 11:15 AM AST

As we close the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season, we are grateful that the Virgin Islands have been spared the ravages of a hurricane. The same cannot be said for the countless many who during this hurricane season have had to evacuate their homes only to return to death and destruction caused by the effects of a hurricane. Since we have been spared, let us turn our attention to planning and preparing for next season. Equally important is looking back at 2011 to see where improvements are needed. 

We will therefore not rest on our laurels but will be vigilant, especially as it relates to emergency preparedness. One fact that we have learned over the years is that we cannot predict with certainty when or where a hurricane will hit, so we have to be as prepared as possible. Preparedness therefore calls for a cooperative relationship between VITEMA and the populace so that we can all adequately discuss and address emergency management issues and needs in the territory. 

As Director of VITEMA I am asking that for the upcoming (2012) Atlantic Hurricane Season we adopt a new approach to emergency management. It is an approach that is called the Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management. According to Kaufman, Lumpkins & Aniskoff (2011), “The Whole Community concept is a lens through which residents, emergency management practitioners, organizational leaders, and government officials can understand and assess the needs of local residents and the best ways in which to organize and strengthen their assets, capacities, and interests. By doing so, a more effective path to societal security and resilience is built.” I fully support the Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management as proposed by the FEMA team Kaufman, Lumpkins & Aniskoff (2011). I realize that engaging societal capacity via the Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management will result in a better informed community and shared understanding of community needs and capabilities. This will also result in an increase in resources, and compensate for budgetary pressures. This is the way forward for the USVI, especially given our current financial and economic condition. 

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September Marks the Eighth Annual National Preparedness Month
Posted by Director Lewis on September 16, 2011 at 4:25 PM AST

September marks the eighth annual National Preparedness Month. This month encourages families, businesses and government agencies to prepare for emergencies at home, at work and in their communities. Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community. This year, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks, we remember the past as we prepare for the future. The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) is spearheading the effort to harness the skills and expertise of our many interagency partners to address emerging challenges facing the Territory and the region. Our aim is to improve synchronization of operations and activities between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), other U.S. government organizations and businesses operating in this part of the region to create a collaborative, effective, and efficient partnership.

"Whenever our nation has been challenged, the American people have responded with faith, courage, and strength. This year, natural disasters have tested our response ability across all levels of government … Our nation has weathered many hardships, but we have always pulled together as one nation to help our neighbors prepare for, respond to, and recover from these extraordinary challenges ...," said President Barack Obama in his presidential proclamation on National Preparedness Month, 2011.

In keeping with our vision, VITEMA relies heavily on interagency partners across the U.S. government, the National Guard bureau and the private industries to address territorial emergency issues. Our areas of focus include: 

• Ensuring all VITEMA exercises and conferences include participation from our interagency partners.

• Ensuring VITEMA has a 21st century territory-wide facilities to meet the challenges of the future. The new facility must enable discussions across the agency and the interagency as well as throughout the region encompassing all levels of unclassified, proprietary, and classified information.

Protecting the lives of families and safeguarding of property is of primary importance to VITEMA. Emergency preparedness is an essential component of protection, as such National preparedness Month promotes improving emergency preparedness skills in anticipation of a disaster no matter where or when it may strike.

Elton Lewis
Director

Volunteerism: A Valuable Asset
Posted by Director Lewis on March 7, 2011 at 3:53 PM AST

It is more vital than ever that emergency management managers have every available tool to maintain the proper response, recovery and mitigation in their communities before, during and the aftermath of a disaster. People are one of the tools that must be used to achieve its public safety goals in the ever-changing environment, innovation and transformation with innovative and creative ideas are needed and only people can make that happen in many forms and volunteerism is one such form. Volunteer efforts tailored to the needs and resources of the community, can enhance the VITEMA’s homeland security efforts and create a safe community and move a productive agency. 

Volunteer is just that: a volunteer who performs service for the agency without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for service rendered. Volunteers are a special, dedicated, and committed group of people. They can be chaplains, planners, logisticians, communicators, and persons providing administrative support. Now, one would say, without compensation! First, volunteer programs are not designed to replace sworn or civilian employees. Rather, they serve to supplement and enhance existing or envisioned functions to allow and free up emergency management personnel to do their job or focus on the hardcore issues of managing the incident.

Being a volunteer has proven to be a valuable resource of very important people, forming many supportive functions. It can and will provide innumerable benefits to VITEMA, including maximizing on our limited existing resources, enhancing public safety and services, and the big one, improving community relations. By considering becoming a volunteer you can help VITEMA fulfill its primary functions and provide services that may not otherwise be offered, allowing the staff to focus on planning and recovery functions. Volunteers can staff sections that are short staff and perform administrative function. I can talk about the program being free, and the spirit of volunteerism, but in fact, some funding is involved, and that cost is associated with establishing and maintaining a volunteer program, and that varies. Costs that must be considered are: selecting, screening, training, work space, and equipment, and supplies, among others. 

Volunteers act as extra sets of eyes and ears for VITEMA by working in non-hazardous, non-enforcement functions. Success of this effort will be measured in terms of the community trust, confidence in, and communication with the agency. Volunteering opportunities vary from one station to another according to identified needs within VITEMA and the community. In today’s public service managers are required to do more with less and use resources more efficiently and innovatively. I believe this progress is a good balance between creative use of volunteer support and effective management of resources. It provides a unique opportunity for individuals to use their skills, experience and local knowledge to make a positive contribution in their community by supporting the work of VITEMA. 

Once, selected clear lines of authority, responsibility, and communications are established, contrary to normal procedure in the agency’s use of volunteers for general projects. VITEMA normally will incorporate all of the management and supervisory procedures in effect for other volunteers and added a few more. The list included: Project job descriptions, formal in-house requests for volunteer assistance, volunteer contracts, with a list of the volunteer’s and the agency’s obligations, hold-harmless agreements, entry and exit interviews, regular supervisor/volunteer performance discussions ,background checks and development of leadership teams.

VITEMA subscribes to the volunteerism philosophy and will like to work closely with local emergency groups and business owners to promote a safer community. We are looking for people who would like to get involved in a range of activities mentioned. I hope that we can achieve a critical level of trust due to the volunteer program and community participation in emergency preparedness.

"Help us... Help you"

Elton Lewis
Director Designee, VITEMA

A Holiday Message from the Director-Designee
Posted by Director Lewis on December 16, 2010 at 4:25 PM AST

This holiday season, Virgin Islands families will come together once again to celebrate their faith, to welcome the New Year, and to treasure the simple joys of life. Many of the blessings we enjoy are a legacy of the sacrifice and hard work of VITEMA; its employees and interagency partners.

Throughout the holidays, some of you will remain on duty, supporting our operations and guarding the freedom and pleasures of our visitors and residents alike. As we enter this joyous and holy season, let us remember our fallen Soldiers, first responders and their families. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and again, we welcome home those who served our nation during military call-up to duty to help secure our nation and the territories from further acts of violence and terror.

Preserving peace and tranquility requires tremendous personal sacrifice. Like our forefathers, the men and women of today’s emergency communities willingly shoulder the heavy burden of protecting and serving this territory.

Each of you is a valued member of VITEMA, whose dedication and selfless service make a tremendous difference, not only to your fellow citizens, but to the people in need all over this territory and beyond.

Each and every day, you show the Virgin Islands at its very best. At this special time of year, my wife Janice and I wish you a blessed, rewarding, and safe holiday season. May the New Year bring you every happiness.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Elton Lewis
Director-Designee