Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and Environment released the following statement regarding a $6,838,035 grant from Health and Human Services (HHS) to go towards Public Health Emergency Response in the Virgin Islands:
 
“Today, I am pleased to announce a $6,838,035 grant from Health and Human Services (HHS) to go towards Public Health Emergency Response in the Virgin Islands. This grant is intended to be used by the Virgin Islands Department of Health who is responsible for initiating public health response activities during the first 24 hours of an emergency or disaster. This grant will help the Virgin Islands Health Department effectively respond to an emergency or disaster, and other preparedness activities deemed necessary. Some of those activities including:
 
“Establishing close working relationships and mutual-aid agreements with:
            •         Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs)
            •         Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
            •         Medical/health/behavioral care providers
            •         Fire, law enforcement, state, local, response organizations
            •         Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)
            •         State, regional, and tribal public health response coordinators
            •         Neighboring health jurisdictions
            •         Humanitarian/non-governmental/volunteer organizations
            •         Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
            •         Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
            •         Private businesses
            •         Academic institutions
            •         Other pertinent agencies/organizations
 
“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community should work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help recover and build back our islands.”