Showing posts with label Emergency management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emergency management. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Governor McAuliffe Declares September as Preparedness Month in Virginia

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe has proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month in Virginia and he encourages business owners, families and communities to be ready for emergencies. 

“September has historically been the most active time of the year for hurricanes in Virginia,” Governor McAuliffe said. “Whether it’s a natural disaster like a hurricane or a human-caused emergency like terrorism, individuals, families and businesses that take the time to prepare are more resilient in the long run than those who failed to plan.”

Everyone can prepare for all emergencies, including hurricanes, by taking these steps:

  • Sign up for text alerts/weather warnings that may be offered by your locality. 
  • Have basic supplies on hand to last at least three days for each family member.
    • Food that won’t spoil, such as canned and packaged foods
    • Water, one gallon per person per day
    • A working battery-operated radio and extra batteries
    • Flashlights with extra batteries
    • First aid kit
    • A written list of your prescriptions and prescribing doctor(s) and at least a week’s supply of medications
    • Food and water for your pets
  • Create a family emergency communications plan. 
    • Decide how and where everyone will meet up with each other if separated
    • Choose an out-of-town emergency contact for your family and give that person’s phone number to each family member
    • Make a sheet of emergency contacts and post it in visible places in your home and workplace.  Don’t rely on your smart phone or online contact lists.
    • Get a free emergency plan worksheet and emergency contact cards atwww.ReadyVirginia.gov or www.ListoVirginia.gov or use the new Ready Virginia app.

People with disabilities or access and functional needs may need to take additional steps. Plan how to handle power outages and/or being asked to evacuate. For more information, visit www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/getakit/disabilities.

The third National Day of Action on Sept. 30, known as America’s PrepareAthon! Day, is a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience through hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises. To sign up for America’s PrepareAthon! go to www.ready.gov/prepareand register how you will take action to prepare in September.


(Just a quick question:  How does a governor of a state declare a National Preparedness Month?  Just asking.) 

Friday, October 17, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Homeland Security Grant Awards

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Official ...
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Official Seal Websafe Colors (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dozens of projects across Virginia will receive federal funding

Richmond, Va. – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that more than $4.8 million in federal funds will be awarded to multiple local government agencies to enhance emergency preparedness throughout Virginia. The funds, administered by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, are from the fiscal year 2014 State Homeland Security Grant program.

“These critical funds, provided by our partners at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be used immediately to help emergency planners and first responder agencies throughout Virginia get tools, equipment and other resources they need to keep Virginia communities safe,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “With this grant, Virginia joins federal and local governments in working together proactively to ensure that our residents are better protected and able to recover more quickly from possible terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.”

To allot the funds, the Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security invited project proposals from local government agencies to be submitted in ten categories of special emphasis and priority for Virginia. A total of 187 project proposals valued at more than $23 million were received in these categories:

·       Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE)
·       Communications
·       Community Preparedness
·       Critical Infrastructure
·       Training and exercises in Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS)
·       Information Sharing (Fusion Centers)
·       Law Enforcement
·       Mass Care
·       Planning
·       Public Messaging & Crisis Communication

The submitted projects were evaluated and scored against five criteria by approximately 50 peer reviewers.  These individuals from across the state represented multiple professional groups, state agencies and local government officials with emergency expertise.  Peer reviewers evaluated projects that were outside of their own region.  Among the scoring criteria were the necessity of the project, how the project addresses risk, project management and the sustainment of the investment.

A total of 79 projects valued at $4.8 million met the criteria and will receive funding as shown below:

Locality
Proposal Title
Allocation Amount
Albemarle County
Law Enforcement Equipment
$                  6,745.00
Albemarle County
Law Enforcement Personal Protective Equipment
$                42,910.00
Alexandria City
Hazmat Team Equipment
$                79,600.00
Arlington County
Whole Community Outreach and Citizen Corps Program
$                36,100.00
Augusta County
HazMat Equipment and Training
$                54,393.00
Buckingham County
HazMat Response Vehicle
$                38,000.00
Buckingham County
Law Enforcement Equipment
$              151,171.00
Chesapeake City
HazMat Paramedic Training Program Sustainment
$                17,500.00
Chesapeake City
Hampton Roads Incident Management Team (HRIMT)
$                99,000.00
Chesapeake City
Mobile Emergency Water Supply System
$              100,000.00
Chesapeake City
Virginia Communications Cache Sustainment
$              139,900.00
Chesterfield County
Rail Hazard and Flammable Liquid Response Equipment
$              100,000.00
Chesterfield County
Virginia Search and Technical Rescue/USAR Communications and Interoperability Project
$                98,000.00
Chesterfield County
Virginia Search and Technical Rescue Program Support
$              147,000.00
Craig County
EOC Upgrade
$                40,000.00
Danville City
HazMat Equipment
$                30,187.00
Fairfax County
Structural Collapse Team Equipment
$                68,000.00
Fairfax County
Virginia Communications Cache
$              176,000.00
Fairfax County
Hazardous Materials Response Team Equipment
$              150,000.00
Floyd County
Citizen Alerting System
$                32,200.00
Galax City
CERT Equipment and Training
$                  6,500.00
Gloucester County
Community Preparedness- Evacuation Preparedness Targeting Multi-Cultural
 $                45,000.00
Gloucester County
Community Preparedness- Regional Shelter Planning, Training and Exercises
$              100,000.00
Greene County
CERT Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                  9,000.00
Halifax County
CERT Equipment and Training
$                  6,682.00
Hampton City
Citizen Corps Program
 $                35,000.00
Hampton City
Disaster Outreach Targeting Tourist Population
$                27,000.00
Hampton City
Regional Shelter Planning, Training, Exercise and Equipment
$                53,952.00
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Strike Team Personal Protective Equipment Replacement
 $              133,219.92
Hanover County
Personnel Protective Gear Replacement/Upgrade
$                18,100.00
Hanover County
Thermal Imaging Device Replacement/Upgrade
$                30,000.00
Harrisonburg City
HazMat Team Equipment and Training
$                52,000.00
Henrico County
Hazmat Team Equipment
$                18,000.00
Henrico County
Community Outreach, Mass Care, and Preparedness Efforts
$                26,500.00
Henrico County
Regional Swiftwater and Flood Waters Training
$                30,000.00
Hopewell City
Hazmat Team Equipment
$                27,000.00
Hopewell City
Shelter Supplies and Equipment
$                97,000.00
James City County
Citizen Preparedness
 $                11,370.00
James City County
Emergency Planning
 $                59,900.00
Lancaster County
Citizen Corps Program
$                40,500.00
Lancaster County
 Law Enforcement- Data Sharing Project (LInX)
 $              102,640.00
Lynchburg City
CBRNE Equipment
$                52,542.00
Manassas City
Citizen Corps Program
$                17,500.00
Middle Peninsula Planning District
Program Management- Regional Emergency Planning
 $              110,000.00
Middlesex County, VA
CERT Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                  7,230.00
New Kent County
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)
$                12,500.00
New Kent County
Evacuation Incident Mini Emergency Response Vehicles (MERV)
 $                40,000.00
Newport News City
Law Enforcement- Mass Casualty Incident Training and Exercise
$                  7,555.00
Newport News City
Citizen Preparedness
 $                32,228.49
Newport News City
Mass Care Shelter Equipment and Training
$                42,789.50
Newport News City
Hazmat Team Equipment
$                60,600.00
Norfolk City
CERT Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                40,420.00
Norfolk City
Hazmat Team Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                35,000.00
Northampton County
Interoperable Communications Enhancement
$              105,000.00
Page County
CERT Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                  5,750.00
Petersburg City
Citizen Corps Program
$                  7,420.00
Poquoson City
CERT Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                30,000.00
Portsmouth City
Law Enforcement- Surveillance System Expansion
 $                18,850.00
Portsmouth City
Hazmat Team Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                27,555.00
Richmond City
Citizen Corps Program
$                22,000.00
Richmond City
Citizen and Business Preparedness Training
$                60,000.00
Richmond Regional Planning District Commission
Regional Emergency Management Planning Support
$              102,800.00
Roanoke City
HTR/SWR Equipment
$                84,635.00
Roanoke City
Law Enforcement – Tactical Response Team Personal Protective Equipment
$                72,000.00
Rockingham County
Hazmat Team Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                39,660.00
Salem City
Hazmat Team Equipment, Training, and Exercises
$                62,000.00
Tazewell County
CERT Equipment and Training
$                96,400.00
Virginia Beach City
Heavy Tactical Rescue Team Equipment and Training
 $                65,547.00
Virginia Beach City
Hazmat Team Equipment – Railway Incident Response
 $              100,000.00
Westmoreland County

Law Enforcement – License Plate Reader Integration
$                 35,050.00
Williamsburg City
CERT Equipment, Training and Exercises
$                 39,539.00
Winchester City
Hazmat Team Equipment, Training and Exercises
$                55,500.00
Wise County
Citizen Alerting System
$                14,957.00
York County
Citizen Preparedness
$                 39,620.00  
Fusion Center – VSP on behalf of Local Governments in Region II
Fusion Center Analysts
 $             137,415.00
Fusion Center – VSP on behalf of Local Governments in Region III
Fusion Center Analysts
 $             142,595.00
Fusion Center – VSP on behalf of Local Governments in Region VI
Fusion Center Analysts
$              150,000.00
Fusion Center – VSP on behalf of Local Governments in Region IV
Fusion Center Analysts
$              150,000.00 
Fusion Center – VSP on behalf of Local Governments in Region I
Fusion Center Analysts
$               150,000.00