As part of the Tourism Department’s ongoing efforts to support the local community with training, the department will hold a free crisis communications seminar on St. Croix. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 5 at The Buccaneer Hotel.

In collaboration with the department’s public relations firm, Peggy R. Bendel of Development Counsellors International, author of “It’s a Crisis! Now What?” will share her expertise.

"Having experienced natural disasters and other crisis situations in the past we recognize the importance of responding effectively to ensure the long-term viability of the island’s tourism industry," Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson Doty said in a statement. "I invite my colleagues in St. Croix to take advantage of this free educational opportunity to be crisis ready."

Tourism spokesman Allegra Kean-Moorehead said the seminar is in response to a request by St. Croix businesses and other community members. She said there are no plans to hold a similar seminar in the St. Thomas/St. John district but the department was “open to the idea.”

Seminar participants will obtain an understanding of the strategy and tactics required to effectively respond to a crisis. Topics to be covered focus on understanding the fundamentals of crisis communications. They include identifying a potential crisis, response strategy development with tactical implementation, protecting brand equity, and reputation management.