Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Status of HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS 2019 Lawrence J. Kupfer – Executive Director/CEO June 19, 2019 Legislature of the Virgin Islands Committee on Government Operations, Consumer Affairs, Energy, Environmental & Planning
Good day Honorable Senator Barnes, Chairwoman of the Committee on Government Operations, Consumer Affairs, Energy, Environmental and Planning, other Honorable Senators present, testifiers, and the listening and viewing audiences. I am Lawrence J. Kupfer, Executive Director/CEO of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (hereinafter “VIWAPA” or the “Authority”) . With me to assist in this presentation are members of the Authority’s disaster & hurricane management team. Madam Chairwoman, I have been invited to present testimony regarding VIWAPA’s state of preparedness regarding its direct area of responsibility or Emergency Support Function (ESF) as outlined in the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Operations Plan. 2
General Hurricane/Disaster Preparedness for VIWAPA is a year round effort, which includes: Ongoing implementation of preventative maintenance programs, repairs and hardening of internal & external facilities & infrastructure. We have in place an active public outreach & messaging system and have developed a structured management system to control planning/preparedness programs, which includes restoration initiatives and priorities. The Authority has taken the many lessons learned from the past two hurricanes to better plan, prepare, respond and restore its electric and water systems. We have placed great emphasis on advance coordination and securing of resources locally, as well as other off island resources that we expected not to be readily available, but necessary for the overall safety, and restoration efforts, such as : Employees Assistance; Damage Assessment; Debris Collection & Disposal; Emergency Line Crews & Equipment (local & off-island); Temporary Housing; Emergency Boat Charters; and T & D Materials for Restoration of Power. 3
2019 Incident Command Structure 4
Preparedness The Incident Command System and internal organization have been identified and will be used in WAPA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Individual meetings with internal departments, and reviewed specific preparedness and updated operations plans. Launched public information & community outreach initiatives on hurricane preparedness, to include safety tips. Multiple working sessions on lessons learned from previous storms to include availability of resources from APPA; ways to maximize on the Mutual Aid Process, restoration best management practices; considerations for all hazards advance planning; and training on FEMA Public Assistance & Reimbursement process. Ongoing training exercises for all personnel on their respective roles, and to ensure their preparedness. 5
Preparedness cont’d Developed a comprehensive Site-Safety Plan for inclusion into the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which will be implemented as part of our ICS. Plan includes additional staffing and other resources to ensure restoration practices are being conducted safely and in accordance with industry best practices. Pre-event preparedness planning for a hurricane is now extended beyond the traditional 72 hours (three days out), to 168 hours (seven days out) given the advancement of weather forecasting and impact cones. 6
Preparedness cont’d Performing systems upgrade Electrical system Ongoing T & D systems repairs, upgrades, & hardening, continued preventative maintenance on generation systems, tree trimming, performed maintenance on underground systems to essential (critical support) government service outlets, with priority to substations, water pump stations, hospitals, airports, seaports, all geared to improve overall system reliability or rapid power restoration. Composite Pole Installations: STT 108; STJ 742, WI 107 & STX 155. More than 7,000 slated for installation Territory wide Telecommunications and Internet providers are also prioritized for restoration. Water system Ongoing replacement of old pipes, pumps, perform PM on disinfectant/treatment systems, tanks inspection for leaks or maintenance needs, increasing water storage capacity and pursued backup generator power from FEMA to minimize pumping interruption, all of which will increase availability of potable water for distribution . 7
Preparedness cont’d Ongoing documenting/mapping and review of existing facilities and infrastructure (water & electric) conditions prior to hurricane season. Secure an Agreement with APPA for public utilities assistance for restoration. Secured a dedicated contract for critical long-lead time materials and supplies, e.g. transformers poles, wires, etc. Solicitation phase on quotes for restoration assistance with private local & outside utility companies. RFP’s final stages for shipping logistics, housing off islands crews, debris collection & disposal. In discussions with local government officials and private landowners to secure properties for staging materials, temporary housing for crews, equipment and debris, as well as securing access to VIPA & WICO port 7 docking facilities. 8
Preparedness cont’d Fuel Storage (Anticipate – Based on Current Burn Rate) Propane -130,000 Bbls./ 15 days per District No 2 Fuel Oil - Minimum 10 days per District (TBD) Water Storage (Based 90% of Available Capacity per District) St. Croix – 18 Mil. Gals. = 15 days St. Thomas & St. John – 25 Mil. Gals. = 12 D ays 9
Preparedness cont’d Damage Assessment : Teams consisting of off-island contractors, internal technical staff from the line department, power plants and water distribution, have been established and were re- oriented on their designated role in each district. Goal is to ascertain relatively accurate assessments of damages to the systems (electric & water) in approximately 72 hours after the passing of a storm and be in a position to implement its initial restoration plan based on established priority listing. Readily Available Restoration Crews Two off-island companies in the Territory performing Elec. System hardening work and also available for initial damage assessment & emergency restoration work, if necessary STX – Haugland Energy 49 - Line Workers (LW) STT – Haugland Energy 49 - BBC 15 (63 Total LW) STJ – BBC 17 (LW) 10
Preparedness cont’d Media Campaign: When Severe Weather Strikes WAPA’s campaigning efforts is to provide the public various means of obtaining the latest information before, during and after storm events: WAPA’s website, www.viwapa.vi WAPA’s telephone messaging system WAPA Alerts Facebook 11
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Closing I thank you for allowing the Authority the opportunity to provide an update on our state of preparedness for the 2019 hurricane season. My staff and I are available to answer any questions you may have on this matter. 13
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