>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19.

ON THIS EPISODE, WE WILL GET THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE ROLLOUT OF FEDERAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT HELPS QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS PAY PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS.

WE WILL FEATURE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICE FOR AN UPDATE ON PLANS TO REBUILD MULTIPLE FIRE STATIONS TO ENSURE BETTER SERVICE AND A FASTER COMMUNITY RESPONSE.

FIRST, HERE IS THE LATEST ON OTHER ONGOING RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO ON ST. CROIX.

ANOTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

RENOVATIONS KICKED OFF ON THE HOMESTEAD BUILDING AT THE RUDOLPH AGRICULTURE COMPLEX ON ST. CROIX.

IT SHOULD TAKE SEVEN WEEKS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK IS BEING DONE BY LOCAL CONTRACTOR DIONNE CONSTRUCTION.

>> THE DAMAGED ROOF.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE OUT THE GUTTERS.

SOME ELECTRICAL WORK.

>> IT´S SLATED TO BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 26th OF THIS YEAR.

THE PROJECT IS JUST A LITTLE UNDER $50,000.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE COMPLEX.

THIS STORE IS BEING RESTORED AS PART OF THE WHERE PEOPLE VISIT AND SEE HOW IT WAS IN OLD TIMES.

WE APPRECIATE IT BEING DONE.

WE ARE THANKFUL THIS IS GOING TO BE READY SO THAT BY THE TIME NEXT YEAR, IT WILL BE PART OF ACTIVITIES ONCE MORE.

>> IT WILL TARGET AREAS OF THE TERRITORY PRONE TO EXTREME FLOODING, FALLING ROCKS AND MUDSLIDES.

FEMA, THROUGH ITS HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM, AWARDED $2.35 MILLION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR A SLOPE ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY AREAS AT RISK FOR LANDSLIDES AND TO DESIGN AND INSTALL SLOPE STABILIZATION SYSTEMS.

>> RECENTLY, THE FEMA PROGRAM AWARDED THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS A PROJECT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR ANALYSIS.

THE FIRST PHASE WAS ASSIGNED AN AMOUNT AND THE FULL COST IS $2.5 MILLION.

THE PURPOSE IS FOR ANALYSIS THAT WILL REVIEW AREAS FOR STABILIZATION DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS.

THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A STUDY THAT WILL EVALUATE LOCATIONS THAT NEED MITIGATION STRATEGY.

IT WOULD PRIORITIZE AREAS AND WILL IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PROJECTS THAT CAN BE USED.

IT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 24 MONTHS.

THE PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY AREAS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SOLUTION TO MINIMIZE THESE ISSUES.

>> NEARLY TWO DOZEN FIBER ACCESS POINTS ACROSS THE TERRITORY WILL RECEIVE NEW GENERATORS ASSEMBLED IN STORM-RESISTANT ENCLOSURES.

THE GRANT PROGRAM RECENTLY AWARDED $7.1 MILLION TO THE VIRGIN ISLAND NEXT GENERATION TO MAINTAIN INTERNET ACCESS IN THE EVENT OF A POWER OUTAGE TO FACILITIES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

THE ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT IS 34 MONTHS.

OUR TERRITORY IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN THE WORLD.

THEY WILL STAY THAT WAY THANKS TO A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT AIMED AT PROTECTING OUR SHORELINES.

FEMA RECENTLY AWARDED $770,000 TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR A PROJECT THIS WILL EMPLOY CUTTING-EDGE METHODS TO EXPAND CORAL REEFS AROUND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO PROTECT OR SHORELINES FROM WAVES, EROSION AND OTHER DAMAGES DURING FUTURE HURRICANES.

>> USUALLY, YOU MIGHT PROTECT SHORELINES WITH STONEWALLS OR BARRIERS THAT BREAK DOWN OVER TIME.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP GOING OUT AND PROTECTING AND REBUILDING THEM.

WITH CORAL REEFS, THEY DO THEIR OWN RESTORATION THROUGH TIME.

ONCE YOU GET THEM STARTED, THEY´RE ABLE TO REPLENISH THEMSELVES BY CONTINUING TO GROW AND REPRODUCE.

THEY ATTRACT OTHER ORGANISMS LIKE HABITATS FOR FISHERIES FOR BABY FISH, FOR LOBSTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

NOT ONLY ARE YOU GETTING THE BENEFITS OF PROTECTING THE SHORELINE, BUT YOU GETTING ALL OF THESE ADDED BENEFITS OF RESTORING THE HABITAT FOR THE FISHERIES.

>> IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS, INCLUDING BREWERS BAY, BUCK ISLAND, MEGAN´S BAY, RANGE KEY AND COOKIE POINT AND SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY MARCH 2024.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

DORMS AND CAMPUS LIBRARY ON ST. THOMAS WILL BE MORE RESILIENT THANKS TO A GRANT FROM FEMA.

THE AGENCY HAS A MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM.

THEY AWARDED $4.1 MILLION FOR A WIND RETROFIT THAT INCLUDES ALL RESIDENCES AS WELL AS THE LIBRARY.

>> AFTER THE PASSAGE OF HURRICANES IN 2017, THE STRUCTURES WERE COMPROMISED.

THE SIX FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR FUNDING WERE COMPROMISED.

SOME OF THE RETROFIT WOULD INCLUDE PUTTING ON ROOF STRAPS, DEALING WITH SOLAR PANELS IN SOME INSTANCES THAT WERE BLOWN OUT DURING THE STORM.

ONCE WE HAVE THESE FACILITIES BACK ONLINE AND THEY ARE MORE RESILIENT AND STUDENTS CAN REMAIN IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS DURING THE STORMS.

THE LIBRARY, WHICH WAS DEDICATED IN 1969, HOLDS A NUMBER OF PRIZED COLLECTIONS OF LOCAL HISTORY.

THE FACILITY WAS COMPROMISED DURING THE 2017 HURRICANES.

WITH THE GRANT, THE UNIVERSITY WILL BE ABLE TO PRESERVE THE FACILITY SO THESE COLLECTIONS WILL NOT BE EXPOSED.

THE UNIVERSITY IS VERY GRATEFUL TO FEMA WITH THE SELECTION OF THIS FUNDING AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPACT THAT THIS GRANT WOULD HAVE ON ITS FACILITIES AND THE IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR STUDENTS.

>> THE 24-MONTH RETROFIT PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY OF 2023.

BUSINESSOWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A FREQUENTLY UPDATED LIST OF OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES IS SOLICITING PROPOALS TO PROVIDE THESE.

THEY ARE DUE BY TUESDAY, APRIL 6, AT 4:30 P.M. ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME.

TO MORE INFORMATION ON OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS, LOGON TO WWW.USVI.COM AND CLICK THE DOING BUSINESS TAB.

YOU MAY ALSO VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR UP TO DATE NEWS ON THE RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

ANOTHER RECOVERY PROJECT THAT MAKES HEADLINES AROUND THIS TERRITORY THIS MONTH, MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF ST. THOMAS COMPUTERS, IS THE PROJECT FINALLY COMPLETED LAST WEEK.

THE HEAVENLY TRAFFIC ROAD HAD BEEN REDUCED TO ONE LANE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AS LOCAL CONTRACTORS WORKED AROUND THE CLOCK TO REPAIR THE COLLAPSED SECTION OF THE ROADWAY.

JUST AS THE PROJECT WAS WRAPPING UP, OUR REPORTER CAUGHT UP WITH THE CONTRACTOR ON SITE.

HERE IS SOME MORE.

>> THIS IS MICHAEL, PROJECT ANALYST HERE ON SITE WITH THE HIGHWAY PROGRAM MANAGER AND THE CONTRACTOR.

HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I NOTICE WE ARE HERE.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE PROJECT?

>> CERTAINLY.

THE RETAINING WALL PROJECT IS EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS.

THESE ARE FUNDS WE RECEIVE FOR DAMAGES THAT WERE CAUSED FROM THE 2017 STORMS.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

I BELIEVE THIS PROJECT WAS STARTED IN LATE 2020.

CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY SPECIFICS?

>> YES.

THIS PROJECT STARTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020.

NOW WE ARE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE AS OF THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.

>> AWESOME.

YOU ARE THE CONTRACTOR FOR THIS PROJECT.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIFICS THAT WENT INTO COMPLETING THIS ROAD PROJECT?

>> YES.

WE HAD A RETAINING WALL THAT WAS BUILT.

WE HAD RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD, PUT IN DRAINAGE AND SWALE.

THAT´S ABOUT IT.

STRIPING AND THAT´S IT.

>> OKAY.

I CAN SEE FROM ALL OF THE PROGRESS MADE SO FAR THAT THIS IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED.

DO YOU KNOW A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN WE CAN EXPECT THE PROJECT TO BE CLOSED OUT AND FULLY IN OPERATION?

>> MARCH 19th.

>> AWESOME.

THAT´S CLOSE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.

BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I´M JOINED ON SET AND WELCOME BACK DARRYL GRIFFITH FROM THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY AND ANTONIO STEVENS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE FIRE SERVICE JOINING THE SHOW VIRTUALLY IS ALSO CAMILLA KLENNON.

WELCOME ONE AND ALL TO THE SHOW.

IT´S REALLY GOOD TO SEE THAT PROJECT AND FOUR STAR WHO HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK REALLY DOING GREAT THINGS ON ST. THOMAS.

>> IT IS.

EXCITED BECAUSE THAT PROJECT TIES INTO ONE OF OUR PROJECTS.

WE HAD DEMOLITION WORK SCHEDULED.

WE HAD TO PUSH IT BACK BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR SAID THEY COULDN´T GO THROUGH SAFELY THERE.

THAT MEANS WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO A DEMOLITION PROJECT OVER THERE AND MOVE OUR PROJECT FORWARD.

THAT´S EXCITING ALL AROUND.

>> AS IF YOU DIDN´T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO SPEND AND SHARE, YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT ARE COMING TO THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

YOUR WORK IS PRETTY MUCH BUNDLED UP FOR YOU.

>> YES.

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE TERRITORY HAS RECEIVED $21 ASSISTANCE FOR PAST DUE RENT AND PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS AS WELL.

THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK UP TO MARCH AND SUBMIT TO US ANY PAST DUE RENT, PAST DUE UTILITIES.

ANYONE WHO IS AT RISK OF GETTING EVICTED OR RISK OF GETTING DISCONNECTED, WE CAN HELP AND ASSIST WITH ALL OF THAT.

>> RIGHT.

I KNOW THAT´S -- WE´RE GOING TO GET TO THAT PORTION AND GET DETAILS.

I KNOW THAT MITIGATION PLAN FOR THE CITY THAT YOU HAVE GOTTEN FEEDBACK FROM HUD.

>> YES.

>> GIVE US AN UPDATE WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT.

PEOPLE ARE WAITING TO GET THE PROJECT STARTED.

>> IT´S VERY EXCITING.

THAT´S A $775 MILLION ACTION PLAN THAT WE SUBMITTED TO HUD.

HUD GAVE US WHAT´S CALLED A PARTIAL APPROVAL.

NOW THAT WE HAVE APPROVAL TO USE BOTH DOLLARS FOR THAT, WE HAVE ANOTHER 45 DAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE SOME INTENSE MEETINGS WITH OUR PARTNERS.

UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLAND.

FEMA HAS MITIGATION TO SOLIDIFY IT TO MAKE SURE IT ADDRESSES ALL OF THE MITIGATION PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THE TERRITORY AND MAKE SURE WE PUT STEPS TO MAKE US A STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITY.

WE WILL RESUBMIT TO HUD.

WE SHOULD COME BACK WITH FULL APPROVAL.

GIVEN THE TERRITORY AT THAT TIME THE FIRST ACCESS TO THE MITIGATION FUNDS.

>> WE KNOW THE PLAN HAS TO BE APPROVED BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY START SPENDING MONEY ON PROJECTS.

THAT´S A CRITICAL STEP.

>> THE PLAN HAS TO BE APPROVED.

THEY HAVE TO GIVE US A GRANT AGREEMENT.

SOMETIMES TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 100 DAYS TO A YEAR SOMETIMES.

WE ARE HOPING FOR LESS TIME.

>> YES.

DEFINITELY HOPING IT WILL NOT TAKE THAT AMOUNT OF TIME IN ORDER TO GET MOVING.

YOU KNOW, I ASK YOU ABOUT HOW MANY HAMMERS WE HAVE SWINGING IN THE VISION TOMORROW PROGRAM.

THAT´S STILL MOVING ALONG.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

>> ONE OF THE COMMITMENTS I MADE FOR THE AUTHORITY WHEN I WAS IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS WE ARE GOING TO GET 20 HOMES OUT TO PROCUREMENT A MONTH.

WE ARE SURPASSING THAT.

WE HAVE AN INTERNAL GOAL, WHICH I´M NOT GOING TO SAY OUT LOUD.

THE TEAM WILL BEAT ME.

WE ARE MOVING WAY PAST THAT.

EVERY WEEK WE ARE SENDING OUT PROCUREMENTS TO OUR SMALL CONTRACTORS AND BIG CONTRACT CONTRACTORS AS WELL.

WE GO OUT AND START SWINGING HAMMERS.

RIGHT NOW, THE GOAL IS TO GET 200 HAMMERS SWINGING BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE ARE A FAR CRY FROM THAT, UNFORTUNATELY.

WE ARE AT 18 RIGHT NOW.

THERE´S A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE FROM NOW AND THEN.

THE COUPLE OF THINGS WE ARE WORKING THROUGH IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING, I THINK, OVER AND OVER ABOUT DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS.

WE HIT A POINT WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN OVER 200 PEOPLE PAST THE DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS HURDLE.

THOSE ARE THE CLIENTS THAT ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE.

WHAT´S HAPPENING NOW IS THAT THE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS ARE BEING DRAWN.

THESE HOMES IN THIS PROJECT ARE THE HOMES THAT WERE SEVERELY IMPACTED THAT WE COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE STEP PROGRAM.

THE DRAWINGS ARE TAKING PLACE AND ENVIRONMENTALS ARE BEING DONE.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WAS A DUMPING GROUND FOR ASBESTOS.

WE HAVE TO DO ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS.

WE DO THE ABATEMENT.

THAT TAKES TIME.

WE HAVE TO SEND IT TO MIAMI AND IT HAS TO BE BURIED BEFORE WE CAN START WORK ON THE HOME.

>> IT´S A MULTI-STEP PROCESS.

>> YES.

>> I KNOW THE CRITICAL THING IS TO GET PAST THE DUPLICATION ISSUES.

IT STOPS ANY OF THE APPLICANTS FROM MOVING FORWARD.

DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS, IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE, WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT THAT MONEY IS AND IT HAS TO BE APPLIED TOWARDS THE REPAIR OF YOUR HOME.

IF YOU HAVE -- YOU HAVE INSURANCE OR IF YOU HAVE FEMALE FUNDING, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE FUNDS THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED.

>> IT´S EXACTLY WHAT YOU MENTIONED.

DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS, WE HAVE OVER 400 APPLICANTS WHO STILL HAVE DUPLICATION OF BENEFIT ISSUES.

THAT´S A LARGER BULK OF OUR CLIENTELE RIGHT NOW.

IT´S LIKE YOU MENTIONED, IF YOU RECEIVED INSURANCE PROCEEDS FROM YOUR PRIVATE INSURANCE, YOU HAVE TO LET THE AUTHORITY KNOW WHAT YOU RECEIVED.

IF YOU STILL HAVE THE FUNDS, YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN AN ESCROW TO APPLY IT TOWARDS THE NEW CONSTRUCTION.

IF YOU USED THE FUNDS FOR REPAIR OF YOUR HOME, ALL WE NEED ARE YOUR RECEIPTS SHOWING THAT YOU DID THAT.

IF YOU DON´T HAVE THE RECEIPTS, WE DO WHAT´S CALLED A REPORT AND OUR CONTRACTOR GOES IN AND ESTIMATES HOW MUCH THE REPAIRS COST.

WE PREFER YOUR RECEIPTS.

BUT THIS IS OUR BACKUP OF MOVING YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IN ADDITION TO INSURANCE, FEMA AND THE SAME THING FOR FEMA.

THE SAME THING FOR ANY OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE THAT YOU RECEIVED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE ASKING OUR CLIENTS IS THAT WE HAVE CLOSE TO 90 CLIENTS THAT STILL OWE ON PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE COULDN´T MOVE FORWARD.

WE ARE ASKING THEM TO CALL THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE AND FILL OUT THE REPAYMENT PLAN.

WITH THAT REPAYMENT PLAN WE CAN MOVE YOU ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

WE HAVE CLOSE -- WITH THAT 90, CLOSE TO 100 CLIENTS WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IF THEY CALL THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE AND FILL OUT THE REPAYMENT PLAN AND WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE PROJECT.

>> IF YOU ARE WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE, MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY WHEN YOUR TIME IS CALLED WHEN YOU GET THE BIDS OUT AND GET ALL OF THAT MOVING.

IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH YOUR PROPERTY TAX, GO AHEAD AND GET THAT CLEARED UP.

NOT ONLY YOU HAVE THE ENVISION TOMORROW AND RENTAL AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE SAFE, DECENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TERRITORIES IS PART OF YOUR JOB.

I KNOW THAT WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE FUNDING THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED FOR COVID TO HELP FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED THROUGH EMPLOYMENT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR HOME, THEIR APARTMENT AND WHEREVER THEY ARE RENTING.

LET´S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND HOW THE COMMUNITY AND LISTENING AUDIENCE WHO NEED THIS SERVICE CAN GET ACCESS.

>> I JUMPED THE GUN ON THAT BEFORE.

I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE $21 MILLION THAT WE DID RECEIVE FROM TREASURY.

THAT´S AS YOU MENTIONED FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY COVID FOR A LOSS OF INCOME.

WE STARTED ADVERTISING.

YOU WILL SEE IT ON ALL OF YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.

YOU WILL HEAR IT ON THE RADIO AND SEE IT ON THE TELEVISION.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS MAKE SURE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IMPACTED.

WE PARTNERED WITH 13 NON-PROFITS SO FAR.

THOSE ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

WE HAVE 40 EMPLOYEES DEDICATED AND THOSE NON-PROFITS WILL SERVE AS INTAKE CENTERS.

PEOPLE WILL GO TO THOSE AREAS AND BE ABLE TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

BRING IN THE SPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

FROM THERE, WILL BE ABLE TO START THE PROCESS TO ASSIST.

IN THE AD, IT WILL LIST EVERYTHING TO GET IN THERE.

PROOF YOUR INCOME HAS BEEN REDUCED, TAX RETURNS OR A LAYOFF LETTER OR UNEMPLOYMENT LETTER AS WELL.

THAT STARTS THE PROCESS.

AFTER THAT, ON MARCH 29th, THAT´S THE FIRST DAY OF INTAKE.

FILL OUT ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE.

THE FIRST THING YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOGON, YOU SEE THAT PROGRAM, THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

CLICK ON IT AND IT WILL GO THROUGH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO APPLY.

GET READY BECAUSE ON MARCH 29th, HELP IS ON THE WAY.

HOW CAN -- IS THERE LIMITS TO WHO THEY LOOK TO ACCESS THIS PROGRAM?

WHAT ARE THE LIMITS?

IS IT INCOME?

CAN I MAKE $350,000 AND STILL GET ACCESS TO THIS PROGRAM?

>> UNFORTUNATELY NOT.

IT´S COMPOSED OF INCOME LIMITS.

MEDIAN INCOME, 80% OF THE INCOME FOR EACH ISLAND.

A FAMILY OF FOUR IN ST. CROIX WOULD HAVE AN AMI OF $40,000.

THAT SAME FAMILY IN ST. JOHN, WHICH HAS A HIGHER COST OF LIVING, WILL HAVE AN AMI NUMBER OF ABOUT $70,000.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK THAT CHART ON OUR WEBSITE AND GAUGE IF YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR THE FUNDS.

>> MAKE SURE -- GET ON THE WEBSITE, WWW.VIHSA.GOV.

YOU WILL GET INFORMATION.

MARCH 29th?

>> YES.

>> IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING -- THERE´S A LANDLORD THAT HAS BEEN ASKING ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE SUPERIOR COURT TO EVICT.

HOLD ON.

THERE´S HELP COMING.

MARCH 29th.

THE LANDLORDS CAN APPLY AS WELL?

>> YES.

THE LANDLORD CAN APPLY.

THE TENANT CAN APPLY.

WE NEED INFORMATION FROM BOTH.

FROM THE LANDLORD, WE NEED HOW MUCH IS PAST DUE, THEIR NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND THEIR ADDRESS.

THE CHECK IS COMING TO THE LANDLORD.

FOR THE TENANT, WE NEED YOUR INCOME INFORMATION AND PROOF THAT YOU LOST INCOME BECAUSE IT IS IMPACTED BY COVID-19.

>> NO CHANCE OF THEM TAKING THE MONEY AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT.

IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE LANDLORD FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> GIVE THEM TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

SOME FOLKS DON´T GO ONLINE.

IF I´M NOT REALLY SAVVY WITH A COMPUTER, WHERE CAN I GET INFORMATION?

>> WE WILL LIST THE PHONE UP INS OF THE NON-PROFITS.

THAT´S OUR INTAKE CENTERS.

THE DIRECT PHONE NUMBER TO CALL IS VIHSA.

340-777-4432.

THAT´S 340-777-4432.

MENTION THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

YOU WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE.

FROM THERE IN THE NEWSPAPERS AND IN ADS, WE WILL PUT OUT ALL OF THE NON-PROFITS.

YOU CAN CALL THEM DIRECTLY AND SET UP APPOINTMENTS TO GO TO THEM AND FILL OUT.

>> THAT´S MARCH 29th.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HOUSING.

I´M REALLY PLEASED TO HAVE MY GOOD FRIENDS AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH US HERE TODAY.

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT YOUR RECOVERY PROJECT, ALL OF YOUR FIRE STATIONS RECEIVED DAMAGE AFTER THE STORMS.

>> YES.

>> A NUMBER OF PROJECTS.

I KNOW AND MANY FOLKS KNOW YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD.

GIVE US AN UPDATE WHERE WE ARE.

>> THANK YOU.

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING, THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF DEREK GEORGE FOR HAVING US ON RECOVERY IN FOCUS.

IT´S A PLEASURE TO REPRESENT THE AGENCY AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.

AS WE BEGIN, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT I DON´T WANT TO FOCUS ON OR USE THE PROPER NAME FOR THE FIRE STATIONS.

I PREFER TO USE THE LOCATION.

EVERYBODY -- THAT´S WHAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY -- CAN BE AWARE OR KNOW WHAT´S HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY AS A PLACE FOR THE FIRE STATION.

EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THAT THE GROVE FIRE STATION IS GOING TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT.

THAT STATION IS GOING TO BE TORN DOWN.

THE BUILDING NEXT TO IT WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE REBUILD.

IT´S GOING TO BE WHAT WE ARE CALLING A MULTI-PURPOSE, MULTI-USE FACILITY.

WE WILL HAVE FIRE, POLICE AND EMT RESPONDING FROM THAT PARTICULAR STATION IN GROVE PLACE.

GROVE PLACE FIRE STATION COVERS A MULTIPLE COMMUNITY JUST IN THAT AREA FROM OVER THE HILL, PARADISE, LILLIAN VILLAGE, EAST OF THAT YOU HAVE COREYVILLE.

THEN YOU STILL HAVE THE PRIVATE HOUSING COMMUNITIES THAT IS IN THAT AREA.

IT´S OUR BUSIEST STATION.

IT´S OUR MOST ACTIVE STATION.

TO KNOW WE CAN HAVE A POLICE RESPONSE AND EMS AND FIRE FROM THAT LOCATION, IT´S A WIN FOR THAT COMMUNITY AND FOR THE TERRITORY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY SAY THAT OUT OF ADVERSITY COMES OPPORTUNITY.

THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT NEIGHBORING AREA.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING POLICE PRESENCE.

SHARING THE BUILDING AND SHARING THAT SPACE.

THAT´S ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

THE TIME LINE ON THAT -- I KNOW YOU ARE GETTING CLOSE TO COMPLETING THE DESIGN PHASE OF THAT PROJECT.

IT WILL SOON BE OUT TO BID SO YOU CAN SECURE A CONTRACT.

>> I THINK THE DESIGN PHASE IS JUST ABOUT COMPLETE.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS PROJECT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES TO BE AWARDED.

WE HAVE BEEN ADDED.

I LOOKED AT THE PLANS THE OTHER DAY.

TRUST ME, IT´S GOING TO BE VERY GOOD.

IT´S NOT GOING TO BE AS IF IT WAS A MAIN STATION.

IT´S NOT GOING TO BE HOUSING LIKE THE MAIN WOULD BE.

AS FAR AS RESPONSE -- >> RIGHT.

OF COURSE, NOW WITH IT BEING A CRITICAL FACILITY FOR FEMA, WHATEVER IS THE STANDARD FOR FIRE STATIONS IS WHAT WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THAT FACILITY.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY EXCITED ABOUT SEEING THE RENDERINGS AND ALL OF THAT.

>> ONE OF THE FAMILIES IN THE TERRITORY, IN ST. CROIX, THAT WE ARE PROUD OF HIS CONTRIBUTION.

GOOD TO PUT HIS NAME ON A FACILITY THAT ACTUALLY IS STATE-OF-THE-ART.

>> THE NAME IS CHANGING, BUT THE MULTIPLEX.

>> ONWARD AND UPWARD.

SPEAKING UP PEOPLE AND NOTABLE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, EMIL HENDERSON STATION.

>> THAT´S ON THE WEST SIDE.

AGAIN, THIS ONE IS NOT A COMPLETE REBUILD.

THIS IS ONE -- ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS IN THE EARLY DAYS WE GOT AWARDED FOR IT.

WE GOT THE WORD THAT WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED FOR THESE PROJECTS, WE WERE REALLY EXCITED.

WE STILL ARE.

THIS IS A WIND RETROFIT.

I´M EXCITED ABOUT THE WIND RETROFIT.

IT REPLACES THE ROOF OR STRENGTHEN THE ROOF AND THE FACILITY.

REPLACES OUR DOORS, MAKING THEM MORE IN COMPLIANT TO TODAY´S STANDARDS.

WINDOWS AND DOORS.

ALSO GOING TO HAVE A SAFE ROOM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN YOU SAY HAVING A SAFE ROOM, WHAT IS THAT?

THAT´S SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THE TERRITORY.

WHAT THAT DOES IS IF WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT STORM THAT IS A CATEGORY FOUR OR HIGHER, IT´S A ROOM THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS CAN GO INTO IF THEY NEED TO GO INTO IT TO SHELTER.

IT´S A MORE HARDENED ROOM OTHER THAN THE REST OF THE STRUCTURE.

THEY CAN GO IN THERE.

THAT PARTICULAR ONE WILL BE OPENING UP TO 12 PEOPLE.

WHAT´S GOOD ABOUT THIS ONE, IF THE FIREFIGHTERS CHOOSE NOT TO GO INTO THAT, THE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO DECIDE THEY WANT TO EVACUATE AND TRY TO GO TO A SHELTER, THEY CAN COME TO THAT AREA AND WE CAN HOUSE THEM THERE UNTIL THE STORM PASSES AND THEN EITHER GO BACK TO THEIR HOUSE IF THEIR HOUSE IS STILL STANDING OR TAKE THEM UP TO THE SHELTER, WHEREVER THAT MAY BE.

AGAIN, IT´S NOT JUST ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTERS BEING HOUSED.

IT´S ALSO TO HELP THE COMMUNITY, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AND AROUND THAT FIRE STATION.

>> VERY CRITICAL.

IN THE EVENT OF STORMS, YOU ARE FIRST RESPONDERS.

WHEN THE REST OF US ARE TRYING TO GO HOME, NO MATTER WHAT´S HAPPENING, YOU HAVE TO GO TO WORK.

IF YOU ARE THERE, YOU HAVE TO STAY THERE.

REBUILDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS REALLY TRYING TO INVEST DOLLARS TO MAKE OUR FACILITIES MORE RESILIENT.

>> MOST OF THOSE PROJECTS, WE WANT TO SEE THEM COMPLETE BY 2023.

>> YOU SAY 2023.

OF COURSE, EVERYONE IS HOPING FOR IT SOONER.

>> MUCH SOONER.

>> WE WILL HEAD FROM THE WEST SIDE TO THE RICHMOND AREA.

ANOTHER NOTABLE FIREMAN THAT PROVIDED SERVICE TO THE TERRITORY.

>> FIRST CHIEF.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

WHERE ARE WE WITH REPAIRS?

>> THE SAME AS THE ONE BEFORE.

THAT IS A WIND RETROFIT WITH A SAFE ROOM.

AGAIN, THIS IS OUR BIGGER FIRE STATION.

IT HOUSES A LOT OF TRUCKS.

THAT´S WHERE THE MECHANICS BAY IS.

THAT´S WHERE -- AS FAR AS NUMBERS, THAT´S WHERE MOST OF THE FIREFIGHTERS, SINCE IT´S THE BIGGEST STATION, THAT´S WHERE THEY RESPOND FROM.

THAT WILL BE A SAFE ROOM.

THAT PROJECT IS BEHIND THE OTHER TWO.

IT´S STILL COMING UP.

>> CONTINUING TO MOVE ALONG.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE WORK STARTED ON THAT SOON AS WELL AFTER WE GET -- YOU HAVE TO PUT IT UP TO BID.

COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT CAME WITH THE MONEY.

THESE DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING IN, THEY GOT RULES.

NOTHING IS FREE.

THEY COME WITH RULES.

MOVING UP EAST.

>> YOU SAID -- THIS FIRE STATION, WE WERE AWARDED AND APPROVED AND GOT IT TO BE A WIND RETROFIT.

THE DOORS, WINDOWS, HOWEVER, WE ARE FIGHTING.

WE ARE IN A FIGHT FOR THIS.

WE DID IT BASED ON DAMAGES THAT IT SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REPLACED.

CURRENTLY, THAT BUILDING -- WE CAN´T LEAVE FIREFIGHTERS IN THE BUILDING IF A CATEGORY ONE OR HIGHER IS COMING.

THAT´S A LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN.

WE ARE IN THE FIGHT TRYING TO GET IT TO BE A REBUILD RATHER THAN A RETROFIT.

I WON´T SPEAK MUCH.

WE ARE KEEPING OUR TOES AND FINGERS CROSSED.

THE HARDENING OF THE STRUCTURE, WE CAN GO WITH IT.

THAT COMMUNITY AND FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS, WE THINK TO GET A COMPLETE REBUILD WOULD BE GOOD.

>> WHEN WE PUT IN THESE DAMAGES TO FEMA, THEY MAKE THE DETERMINATION.

WE PRESENT WHAT WE -- BASED ON OUR ANALYSIS, ON OUR -- THE EXPERTISE WE HAVE.

FEMA, HOWEVER, THEY MAKE THE DETERMINATION ON WHAT´S ELIGIBLE.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK AND OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

THERE´S A LOT OF WORK.

THEY STAY ON THIS AND TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE GOOD MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FIRE SERVICE THE BEST.

NOT ONLY THE BEST, BUT WHAT THEY NEED TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.

YOU DON´T WORRY ABOUT THINGS.

ON ST. THOMAS, WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE FIRE CHIEF FOR A DETAILED UPDATE ON THE RENOVATION PLAN AT THE FIRE STATION.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THOSE FACILITIES.

>> WE HAVE TWO OBLIGATED DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS.

ONE IS FUNDED BY FEMA.

THE OTHER IS THE HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM WHICH IS IN EXCESS OF $86,000.

WE HOPE TO FIX COMPONENTS DAMAGED DURING THE HURRICANES OF 2017.

SOME THINGS IS PUTTING ON ROOF STRAPS, STRAPPING DOWN THE COMPONENTS LOCATED ON THE ROOF, LIKE THE HVAC SYSTEM, INSTALLING ASSISTANCE FOR THE WINDOWS.

WHEN THIS PROJECT IS OVER, WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR EQUIPMENT.

MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR PERSON THEY´LL WILL BE HERE DURING TIMES OF DISASTER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THIS AREA.

THAT´S ULTIMATELY OUR GOAL, TO BE HERE IN TIMES OF DISASTER AND NORMAL TIMES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY ADEQUATELY.

WE HOPE FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER OF 2022.

>> YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE TOURED THESE STATIONS LAST YEAR WITH THE FEMA DIRECTOR, THAT WAS ONE OF THE FACILITIES.

HE NOT ONLY LOOKED AT THE DISASTER DAMAGE BUT ALSO TALKED ABOUT SOME OTHER FUNDS THAT FEMA HAD IN ORDER FOR THE FIRE STATION TO BE ABLE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEED.

I KNOW THE DIRECTOR MOVED FORWARD ON PUTTING IN AN APPLICATION FOR THE FUNDS.

I LIKE WHAT HE SAID.

NOT ONLY JUST -- FIGHTING FIRES IS BIG DOLLARS.

IF YOU FIGHT A FIRE, IT´S NOT LIKE CHANGING A CORD.

IT´S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO PROTECT THAT INVESTMENT.

NOT ONLY THAT YOU HAVE THE FIRE STATION OVER THERE, BUT YOU HAVE THE OTHER ONE.

THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PUSH FORWARD IN GETTING THE OMAR BROWN AND OTHER FIRE STATIONS MOVING.

TELL US WHERE WE ARE WITH OMAR BROWN.

>> OMAR BROWN IS IN THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PHASE.

WE ARE FURTHER ALONG THAN SOME OF THE PROJECTS.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS.

CURRENTLY, THE PROJECT OFFERS APPROXIMATELY $75,000.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED DO IS SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR MITIGATION.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECT.

WE HOPE TO SEE THE PROJECT OPPORTUNITY.

>> I KNOW THERE´S OMAR BROWN.

THE DAMAGES THAT WE HAVE, YOU ARE JUST MAKING SURE WE BUILD RESILIENCE INTO THE REPAIRS AND WHAT´S BEING RECOMMENDED TO BRING THE PROJECTS BACK ONLINE.

THE OTHER STATIONS ON ST. THOMAS INCLUDE -- >> TWO FIRE STATIONS.

THERE´S TWO BUILDINGS.

THERE´S THE FIRE STATION AND THEN THERE´S THE MAINTENANCE BUILDING.

THEY ARE SEPARATE PROJECTS.

THE MAINTENANCE BUILDING, WE ARE REQUESTING FUNDS TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES.

FOR THE FIRE STATION, WE REQUEST REQUESTED UNDER THE FEMA PROGRAM.

>> THOSE STATIONS ARE TRYING TO GET FUNDS FROM FEMA IN ORDER TO -- THAT´S CRITICAL FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OUTLINE THAT SOME OF THE PROJECTS, THEY DO HAVE FUNDING FOR AND THE PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE FUNDING FOR YOU ARE ACTUALLY MOVING FORWARD AND GETTING THESE FACILITIES REPAIRED.

THEN THE OTHERS YOU STILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT -- WE SAY FIGHT, BUT WORK AND NEGOTIATE WITH FEMA TO GET THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO REPAIR SOME OF THE FACILITIES.

YOU HAVE ONE AND ONE SIDE AND ONE ON THE OTHER.

FORTUNA, MR. GRIFFITHS IS THE LANDLORD.

>> YES.

>> THAT WAS DESTROYED PRETTY MUCH IN THE STORMS.

CORRECT?

>> YES, IT WAS.

>> THERE´S NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON IN ORDER TO REALLY AGREE ON WHAT ARE WE GOING TO REBUILD.

ARE WE GOING TO BUILD A MORE -- A STRONGER, MORE PERMANENT FACILITY?

WHAT´S FEMA GOING TO AGREE TO PUT BACK ON THAT SITE?

THAT´S CRITICAL.

ESPECIALLY FORTUNA, YOU ARE A WAYS OUT.

YOU DO -- HAVING THAT SERVICE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE OVER ON THAT SIDE, YOU ARE BUILDING MORE HOMES OVER THERE.

>> 57 HOMES AT WILD PINEAPPLE.

IT´S CRUCIAL TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING.

TO HAVE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE FIRE STATION THERE FOR THE NEW RESIDENTS COMING, IT´S SO IMPORTANT.

>> RIGHT.

WHEN YOU START BUILDING HOMES AND DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PROPER SERVICE THAT IS AVAILABLE WHETHER IT´S FIRE, POLICE.

>> EMS.

>> ACCESS TO ALL OF THAT SO YOU CAN REALLY GIVE TO THE SECURITY -- LEND TO THE SECURITY OF THE AREA.

MUCH LIKE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND DOING IN GROVE PLACE.

YOU HAVE FIRE.

YOU WILL HAVE POLICE.

AND WAIT AND SEE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

>> FOR THE KIDS.

>> IT´S CRITICAL.

THE FORTUNA FIRE STATION, WE ARE HOPING WE HAVE POSITIVE DISCUSSIONS AND RESULTS WITH FEMA ON MOVING THOSE PROJECTS FORWARD.

WE KNOW FEMA WANTS TO DO -- DO RIGHT BY THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY.

I´M CONFIDENT WE WILL GET TO A DECISION THAT WILL BE OF OUR BEST INTEREST TO THE PEOPLE -- NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF FORTUNA BUT OVER ALL THE TERRITORY.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FIRE AND EMS, THE GOVERNOR HAS THIS PROPOSAL THAT IS A MERGER FOR FIRE AND EMS.

HOW IS THAT PROCEEDING?

>> THAT´S GOING ALONG SLOWLY.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING TO THE LEGISLATOR TO PRESENT.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY?

>> I WISH I HAD A MAP, FOR EXAMPLE, OF ST. CROIX TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE ONE EMS FACILITY, WHICH IS HERE, WHAT THEY HAVE TO RESPOND TO WHEN THERE´S AN EMERGENCY.

THE DISTANCE IT IS.

NO MATTER WHERE IT IS ON AN ISLAND, WHERE THEY HAVE TO GO TO.

HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THERE.

I´M NOT SAYING THEM AS IN ANYBODY.

ANYBODY AT THAT FACILITY THAT NEEDS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE TO SOMEBODY, LET´S SAY, IN THE TOWN, HOW LONG IT TAKES.

YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR CARE.

THE LESS CHANCE YOU HAVE OF SURVIVING.

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HAVE AN EMS RESPONSE IN EVERY FIRE STATION, WHICH IS SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, FOUR ON ST. CROIX, TWO ST. THOMAS AND TWO ON ST. JOHN.

THOSE IN NEED, THAT HOPE THAT HELP IS NEARBY.

IT´S ON THE WAY.

I THINK IT´S A WIN/WIN FOR ANYBODY IN THE TERRITORY THAT REALLY WANTS TO SEE US PROGRESS.

>> RIGHT.

AS YOU REBUILD THESE FIRE STATIONS AND EQUIP THEM FOR THAT RESPONSE, THEN IT´S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

ALL THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS COMING INTO THE TERRITORY.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

JUST TRYING TO BRING RELIEF FROM COVID.

IT´S REALLY CRITICAL THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE RECEIVING IT, WE HAVE TO UTILIZE IT AND SPEND IT CORRECTLY.

>> EVERY PROJECT THAT WE PUT FORWARD THAT´S BEEN AWARDED.

ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THAT FEMA IS ASKING, DO YOU PLANT TO PUT AN AMBULANCE IN THAT FACILITY?

>> YES.

>> AWESOME.

>> THE ANSWER IS YES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LET THEM KNOW THERE WILL BE AN AMBULANCE SO WE CAN HAVE A RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING, YOU ALWAYS HAVE PLANS.

YOU DON´T WANT TO ERECT A FACILITY AND THEN COME UP WITH -- IF I KNEW, I WOULD HAVE.

IT´S THE IDEA BEHIND PLANNING AND THE OVERALL STRUCTURE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE TERRITORY.

I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

FIRE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT GET PULLED INTO WHATEVER.

>> EVERYTHING.

>> EVERY SINGLE -- YOU THINK YOU ONLY THINK OF THEM WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A FIRE.

SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS YOU RESPOND TO CAR ACCIDENTS.

>> CAR ACCIDENTS.

YOU NAME IT.

I CONSIDER US SWITCH KNIFE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

HANDING OUT FOOD AFTER THE STORM OR GOING INTO THE COMMUNITIES TO LOOK FOR PEOPLE, SEARCH FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MISSING.

THAT´S WHAT WE DO.

OUR FIREFIGHTERS DO IT DAY IN, DAY OUT.

IT DOESN´T MATTER THE FACILITY THAT THEY ARE IN.

THEY UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS AND THEY GO OUT AND DO IT IRREGARDLESS.

THEY MAY COMPLAIN TO US.

WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CAN AS FAR AS MANAGEMENT.

THEY KNOW WHEN THE BELL RINGS, THEY GET UP AND GO DO IT.

WHEN THEY COME BACK, IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT.

THEY DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT´S WHAT THEY SIGNED UP FOR.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

DUTY CALLS.

NOT ONLY ON ST. THOMAS BUT ON ST. JOHN.

WE HAVE THE CRUISE BAY FACILITIES OVER THERE.

THAT´S NECESSARY TO BE A BENEFIT TO THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHN.

YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING TO MOVE FORWARD SOME OF THE PROJECTS.

WHERE ARE WE WITH THE CRUISE BAY PROJECTS?

>> THE CRUISE BAY PROJECTS, SIMILAR TO THE PROJECT FOR THE 225.

WE REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT.

WE ARE MOVING ALONG ON THAT PROCESS.

>> WE HAVE ST. JOHN.

YOU HAVE THOSE FACILITIES OVER THERE.

WE ARE NEGOTIATING.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BBA, IT´S THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT THAT REALLY CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BUILD MORE RESILIENTLY.

WHAT CONGRESS HAS INTENDED WHEN THEY PASSED THIS ACT WAS THAT WE KNOW -- IT´S ONLY FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY KNOW THEY HAVE MAINTENANCE ISSUES WITH SOME OF OUR FACILITIES HERE.

UNDER NORMAL FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, IF THERE WAS -- IF THE FACILITY WAS DAMAGED PRIOR TO THE STORM, WE WOULD NOT GET ANY FUNDS FOR IT.

BECAUSE OF THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT, WE CAN CONSIDER WHAT THEY CALL PRE-DISASTER DAMAGE.

THAT´S GOOD FOR US ON A LOT OF PROJECTS AND ALLOWING US TO BUILD BACK TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

WHATEVER YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR TOUGHEST JOB IN GETTING THESE FIRE STATION PROJECTS MOVING?

>> INTERESTING QUESTION.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS JUST SATISFYING FEMA´S REQUESTS.

I DO BELIEVE FEMA IS WORKING WITH US AND WORKING TO MOVE OUR PROJECTS FORWARD.

THEY ARE DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.

THEY MAKE REQUESTS OF US BEFORE THEY CAN APPROVE IT.

>> SOME OF THOSE -- ONE QUESTION MAY REQUIRE US TO PUT TOGETHER VOLUMES AND VOLUMES OF INFORMATION OR GO BACK TO DIG FAR BACK AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.

IF YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS.

ALL OF THE MONEY IS NOT REALLY FREE.

>> NOPE.

>> THERE´S ACTUALLY RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT COME WITH IT IN ORDER TO GET THESE FUNDS IN THE TERRITORY.

THAT REQUIRES CONSTANT, CONSTANT EFFORT.

IS THERE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, AGAIN, THROUGH WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR OTHER HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY OR FIRE STATION, DO YOU PROVIDE MATCH?

>> WE PROVIDE THE LOCAL MATCH FOR THE FEMA.

FEMA PAYS 90%.

THE TERRITORY WILL COME TO 10%.

WE WILL BE WORKING HAND IN GLOVE WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT´S HARD FOR ALL IS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR HUD ARE DIFFERENT THAN FEMA.

THEY HAVE AN ADDED LAYER OF FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY THEY HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH.

THEY WILL HAVE LEARNED ABOUT SECTION 3, WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SHOW TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT 10% OF FUNDS.

WE WILL BE WITH THEM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO MAKE SURE THOSE PROJECTS ARE FULLY FUNDED.

>> TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY, 100% OF THE PROJECT, 90% OF THE FUNDS -- MONEY WITH THE FUNDS THAT YOU RECEIVED WILL BE WITH THESE RULES.

THEN 10% WILL BE -- A DIFFERENT SET OF RULES.

GIVE A LOT OF NICE WORK TO DO.

>> YES.

>> YOU HAVE ON ST. JOHN, NOT ONLY CRUISE BAY BUT YOU HAVE THE CORAL BAY FIRE STATION AS WELL.

WHAT ARE THE OVERALL PLANS OVER THERE IN CORAL BAY?

>> WE HAVE REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OF THE CORAL BAY FIRE STATION.

IT´S THE SAME PROCESS.

>> ONCE WE REQUEST A REPLACEMENT -- WE ARE SAYING THAT THE FACILITY HAS BEEN DAMAGED MORE THAN -- IT´S MORE THAN 51% -- >> 50 PLUS ONE.

>> 50 PLUS ONE.

51% DAMAGED.

WE, THEREFORE, ASK FOR A REPLACEMENT.

THAT MEANS THAT WE WANT A BRAND-NEW FACILITY.

THAT DOESN´T COME WITH, YOU WANT A BRAND-NEW FACILITY, ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU DON´T GET IT WITH 49 1/2.

>> NO.

YOU GOTTA GET OVER THAT 50%.

THAT IS SOME OF THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE.

ANSWER QUESTIONS.

THE THING THAT FOLKS NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THE COSTS ARE -- YOU CALCULATE EVERYTHING.

HOW MANY DOORS, HOW MANY WINDOWS, HOW MANY LIGHTS, WHAT WAS THE SQUARE FOOTAGE ON THE FLOOR, THE OVERALL DAMAGES.

IT´S REALLY, REALLY, REALLY THAT GRANULAR.

>> IT IS.

>> FOR YOUR FACILITIES OVER THERE AT THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY, YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOME OF YOUR WORK STARTED.

>> YES.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO WORK IN SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

THE ONE THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO START ACTUALLY IN THE MONTH OF APRIL IS GOING TO BE THE WEST LAGOON THAT WE WILL START DOING REPAIRS TO THE HURRICANE DAMAGE THERE.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

IT´S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING FOR THOSE RESIDENTS.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A MUCH IMPROVED APARTMENT.

IT´S A GREAT LOOKING COMMUNITY WHEN IT´S ALL SAID AND DONE.

>> HAS THAT BEEN AWARDED?

>> THAT´S GOING THROUGH AWARD PROCESS WITH FEMA.

WE HAVE INSURANCE PROCEEDS.

THAT´S A DIFFERENT PART OF DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS.

WE HAVE OUR INSURANCE MONEY WE CAN START A LARGE PORTION OF THE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A SMALL PORTION WHICH WE WILL GET REIMBURSED FROM FEMA.

>> IT´S OUT TO BID?

HAVE YOU SELECTED A CONTRACTOR?

>> WE PUT IT OUT TO BID.

WE PUT TOGETHER THE FULL SCOPE OF WORK.

WE SENT IT OUT TO BID.

WE HAD A NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS.

CLOSE TO SIX.

WE SELECTED THE MOST QUALIFIED AND RESPONSIVE CONTRACTOR.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO START IN APRIL.

>> GOOD.

VERY GOOD.

THERE´S WORK -- MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.

THERE´S PROGRESS BEING MADE.

WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO -- WE ARE BUILDING COMMUNITIES AND MAKING THEM SAFER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT -- HOPEFULLY, WE CAN SEE FIRE AND EMS COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY -- >> HOPEFULLY SOON.

>> HOPEFULLY, VERY SOON, TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AGAIN, IT´S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO ON OUR OWN.

WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> HAND IN HAND.

>> HAND IN HAND TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO MOVE THE RECOVERY FORWARD.

IT´S AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO HAVE HAD BOTH OF YOU ON HERE.

YOU CAN´T NOT BE WITH ME, RECOVERY IN FOCUS, AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

THERE´S SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THIS RECOVERY THAT THE FEMA FUNDS AND THE OTHER FUNDS, WE CAN´T WALK SEPARATELY.

WE MUST WALK HAND IN HAND.

IT´S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU GETTING NEW FUNDS TO ROLL OUT.

>> MITIGATION.

>> MITIGATION.

ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT THE COVID FUNDS THAT YOU ARE READY TO PROVIDE, THAT IF YOU ARE IN NEED, YOU GET READY.

IT´S COMING.

>> IT´S COMING.

>> IT´S BEEN A PLEASURE.

I´M GOING TO TAKE -- LET´S WRAP THIS UP.

LAST WORDS YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE COMMUNITY WITH AFTER WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT ALL THESE PROJECTS AND WHERE WE ARE GOING.

>> UNDERSTANDING THAT IT DOESN´T MATTER WHERE WE ARE STRUCTURAL WISE AS FAR AS THE FIRE SERVICE, WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

THAT´S WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> GREAT.

ALL OF THESE STATIONS FROM THE GROVE STATION ALL THE WAY TO CORAL BAY, WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS REBUILT, REPAIRED AND MAKING SURE THAT IT´S RESILIENT.

>> RESILIENT, YES.

LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE PROGRAMS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR RENT AND UTILITIES.

ALSO HAMMERS ARE GOING TO START SWINGING.

WE HAVE PROCUREMENTS OUT NOW.

IT TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO GO THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT.

YOU WILL SEE IN APRIL AND MAY, HAMMERS WILL START SWINGING ON THOSE ROOFS.

WE THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR PATIENCE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING EVERYONE BACK INTO THEIR HOME.

LOOK AT THE MITIGATION PLAN.

THOSE ARE DOLLARS COMING TO THE TERRITORY.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HELP WITH GREAT THINGS SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS AND HARDENING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> NOT ONLY IN MITIGATION, YOU ARE ALSO DOING WORK RELATED TO LANDFILLS, TO ROADS TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROJECTS.

>> EVERY SINGLE AGENCY IN THE GOVERNMENT.

WASTE MANAGEMENT TO GETTING NEW LANDFILLS FOR THEM, HUMAN SERVICES.

WE WILL TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE ELDERLY CARE AND HOW WE CAN ASSIST WITH THAT.

NEW POWER GENERATION.

REDUCE HOW MUCH -- REDUCE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT AND GIVE US MORE CONSISTENCY IN POWER AS WELL.

THERE´S NOT AN AGENCY IN THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT DOES NOT INTERSECT WITH WHEN IT COMES TO RECOVERY DOLLARS.

>> NOT ONLY THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU ASSIST IN NON-PROFIT ENTITIES.

>> A LOT OF NON-PROFITS HAVE COME TO US FOR TREMENDOUS WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING.

NOT ONLY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS BUT TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR KIDS TO HAVE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE, HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WE TOUCH IN OUR DISASTER RECOVERY AND NON-DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS, SUCH AS OUR TRADITIONAL BLOCK GRANT AND EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT WHICH ASSIST HOMELESSNESS.

WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHILE WE HELP WITH DISASTER RECOVERY.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

IT´S A PLEASURE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU.

MOVING THE RECOVERY FORWARD.

WE DON´T WANT TO SLEEP OR SLUMBER THAT CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP THAT´S NECESSARY FOR US TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD.

THEY SAY LADIES FIRST BUT WE LEAVE THE BEST FOR LAST.

THOUGHTS ON WRAPPING US UP?

>> OUR DISASTER PARTNERS, FEMA, AND OUR LOCAL PARTNERS.

THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL.

THEY DO THEIR BEST SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE THE PROJECTS FORWARD.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THEM.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR AN INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION.

WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR TODAY´S SHOW.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO CONTINUE TO TUNE IN TO RECOVERY IN FOCUS EVERY MONTH.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL PROJECTS BY VISITING US ONLINE.

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP THIS DISCUSSION GOING ON FACEBOOK.

AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

♫♫ >> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

>> THIS IS A WTJX NEWS BRIEF.

>> THE GOVERNOR TESTIFIED YESTERDAY AND TOLD FEDERAL LAWMAKERS THAT VIRGIN ISLANDERS ARE WELL VERSED IN RESILIENCE AND BUILDING BACK.

HOWEVER, TERRITORIES LACK THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO STAY ABREAST OF THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID A CONTINUING PROBLEM IS OUR FINANCIAL ABILITY TO MAINTAIN OUR ROADWAYS, POWER PLANTS AND ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO TRAIN OUR WORKFORCE AND CONSTANTLY ADAPT TO THE EVER CHANGING THREADS.

RESTRICTIONS BETWEEN FEMA AND HUD HAVE CREATED IMPOSSIBLE HURDLES TO REBUILDING.

THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT WAIT TEN YEARS TO BUILD BACK.

THE GOVERNOR THEN SPOKE ABOUT THE TERRITORY´S EFFORTS IN THE FACE OF THE COVID VIRUS TO RETURN TO THE ECONOMY.

THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONER APPEARING.

THEY STOPPED PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WHEN DIBS -- THEY HAD MULTIPLE CONTRACTS.

THEY HAD ALTERNATIVE FINANCING IN BOTH DISTRICTS.

THEY RAN THE GIRLS AND BOYS GROUP HOME, THE STABILIZATION CENTER AS WELL AS THE BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONTRACT HEALTH.

THE FUNDING FOR THAT WAS INCORPORATED INTO POSITIONS AND SOME OF THE POSITIONS -- MANY OF THE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE BUDGET.

A GROUP HOME, WE NOW HAVE -- IT COSTS US IN OVERTIME BECAUSE WE DON´T HAVE PHYSICIANS TO HIRE.

IT´S $500,000, $520,000 A YEAR FOR OVERTIME COSTS.

TO DO A CONTRACT OUT FOR THAT SERVICE, I HAVE TO PROVE I HAVE $500,000.

I WOULD HAVE IT IF I WASN´T PAYING OVERTIME PARTICULARLY.

I DON´T HAVE IT TO SHOW THAT I CAN GET INTO A CONTRACT SITUATION TO DO IT.

>> AT YESTERDAY´S COMMUNITY BUSINESS FORUM, THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP SAID WITH ITS NEW PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING REQUIRING PASSENGERS AND CREW TO BE VACCINATED, IT´S READY TO RETURN TO THE TERRITORY AFTER THE CDC LIFTS ITS NO SAIL ORDER.

IT´S ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS WE SAIL TO.

OUR GUESTS LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING SAID THE CARIBBEAN DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE AMERICANS AND CARIBBEANS.

THEY ARE EAGER TO GET BACK HERE AND CONFIDENT WITH THE PROGRESS AND SUCCESS OF THE COVID VACCINE AND OUR TRACK RECORD OPERATING SAFELY THAT WE WILL BE BACK IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

CRUISE LINES WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TERRITORY TO IMPROVE PORTS TO ACCOMMODATE THE LARGER SHIPS.

ST. CROIX HAS POTENTIAL IF IT IS EXPANDED.

THAT´S YOUR WTJX NEWS BRIEF.

I´M DOUG HARRIS.

♫♫