Lines in the Tutu Park Mall usually mean sales, but Friday was all about preparedness as residents came out to participate in the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency’s "All Hazards Preparedness Expo."

Businesses and agencies of all types filled the center court, from grocery stores such as Cost-U-Less, to the V.I. Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Unit, whose agents offered attendees a first-hand look at a remote controlled, bomb removing robot.

"We felt it was necessary to hold an expo to inform the people of the territory, and to talk to them, about getting prepared for the upcoming hurricane season, and how they should handle the recovery process in the event of an emergency," said VITEMA’s State Director Elton Lewis. The first of event of this kind for the agency, the expo was held on St. Croix Thursday and St. Thomas Friday, Lewis said.

One of the main goals of the expo was to get residents signed up for V.I. Alert, VITEMA’s free, all-hazards alert system meant to keep residents informed about everything from earthquakes to tsunamis. Lewis said the registration process, which is done by computer, does faze some residents, so VITEMA lent a hand by setting up a half dozen booths with technicians at the expo to speed things along.

The system currently sends out notifications, including e-mails and texts, to 7,000 registered residents, but Lewis said he hopes more get on board.

"We hope to reach the entire territory," he said. "That’s the genesis behind this whole expo, for which our theme is ‘Empowering the Community.’ We want to engage all citizens, all our private partners to make sure they’re informed."

Along with local agencies such as Human Services, which is in charge of opening up and running the hurricane shelters in case of a storm, there were also federal emergency responders at the event. Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, Jose Rodriguez said that the Virgin Islands is susceptible to both earthquakes and hurricanes, so residents should be prepared for anything.

One of the first steps in the process is getting together an individual or family plan that will lay out "what you or your family will do" in case something happens, Rodriguez said. A family kit should also be prepared, including non-perishable food, a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day, any necessary medicines, batteries, radio, a flashlight and other essentials.

"We want to make sure that everyone, everyone in our community, is absolutely ready to be able to confront any eventuality that might come this hurricane season," Rodriguez said. He also said FEMA also works all year on its plans with the local emergency management agencies so that everyone is prepared to move when the time comes.

Speaking at the event Friday, Senator Ronald Russell said the expo was a general success.

"We had a few close calls last year, and I think everyone around here knows that what looks like a close miss could be a hit, with just a few degrees, a short turn north or south," Russell said. "I think our people should be aware for any close disasters that could come, and that is why it is important we’re having this event here today."