Technicians at the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) are being trained to complete the installation of weather stations across the Territory.

Mr. Eric Peterson, an experienced engineer from Campbell Scientific is currently in the Territory providing free training for the technicians in the installation and monitoring of the network of weather stations currently being installed.

Mr. Peterson will also spend the week with the officers in the field to ensure that the installation process is carried out using the design and installation standard and specifications recommended by the company.

Eighteen weather stations are currently being installed to capture critical data that will be used to ensure that accurate information on impending weather and changes in climate can be captured and adequately assessed.

The technicians will be updated on the various communication options and meteorological equipment needed to allow for maximum functionality on all weather stations.

 Mr. Peterson also highlighted the need for the department and the authority to invest in good communication as this is the most integral part of the installation process.

He said, “With the recent events of hurricanes the BVI has experienced, this will be the most important part of the installation as it will provide critical data needed to mitigate the damage caused by a hurricane. Being able to communicate the data to where it needs to be before, during and after a disaster is important.”

The engineer spoke about the maintenance needs of the stations to ensure that they are able to function as intended in terms of processing, storing and transmitting of data.

He explained, “Proper maintenance is an effective part of the communication strategy and will further assist in gathering the most accurate data for monitoring and analysis of weather systems”.

Mr. Peterson will spend time this week in the field working with the technicians to install enclosures and data loggers and assist with the programming of sensors which are used to measure temperature, wind and humidity. He also looks forward to seeing the redevelopment of the network here in the BVI.

“I am excited to see the network fully functioning and operating at full capacity.  Campbell Scientific is very pleased to work with the team here in the BVI on this project.  We want to ensure that data is being transmitted from the stations to guide the decision-making process. Data is only useful if it can help people,” he stated.

Campbell Scientific has been in operation since 1974 and is a leading designer and manufacturer of dataloggers, data acquisition systems, and measurement and control products used worldwide in a variety of applications related to weather, water, energy, gas flux and turbulence, infrastructure, and soil. They have generously offered to provide free engineering expertise to guide the re-development of the network of weather stations throughout the BVI.