The next time a hurricane threatens the Virgin Islands, residents are likely to receive text messages warning them of potential dangers.
The territory’s three cellular service providers inked agreements on Friday committing to delivering emergency messages to their customers, according to Government Information Services.
“Text messaging is a widely used communication tool,” said Governor John Duncan, who signed on behalf of the government. “The ability to instantaneously share emergency messages with a wide cross-section of the population certainly helps to revolutionise our early warning system.”
Under the agreements, CCT Global Communications, Digicel BVI Limited and LIME BVI will participate in the monthly testing of the early warning system conducted every fourth Friday.
They will also use their messaging platforms to disseminate messages from the Department of Disaster Management in the event of a potential hazard, according to GIS.
The companies have tested the system in the past, most recently during the tsunami simulation drill last month.
{fcomment}