July 30, 2008
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded Virginia and the National Capital Region a total of $124 million in grant funding, $3 million more than the Commonwealth received for FY07.
DHS allocated funds to Virginia and the National Capital Region through the Homeland Security Grant Program, which consists of four programs:
- State Homeland Security Grant: $21.8 million
- Citizen Corps Program: $331,501
- Metropolitan Medical Response System: $1.9 million
- Urban Area Security Initiative for the Norfolk area ($7.7 million), the Richmond area ($1.7 million) and the National Capital Region (Virginia will receive a portion of $59.8 million)
To prepare the funding request, the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness and VDEM held several stakeholders' meetings where more than 200 local and state partners from all emergency and first responder disciplines took part in determining priorities and discussing options that Virginia would pursue. HSGP grants encourage regional cooperation to reduce the risks of improvised explosive devices and radiological, chemical and biological weapons through interoperability, information sharing and citizen preparedness. DHS distributes HSGP funds according to terrorism risk factor, demonstrated need and potential impact.
DHS also announced funding to Virginia and the National Capital Region through four additional programs:
- Infrastructure Protection Program Grant: $7.7 million
- Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program for the Hampton Roads Area ($4.3 million) and the National Capitol Region (Virginia will receive a portion of $11.5 million)
- UASI Nonprofit Security Grant Program for the Hampton Roads area ($14,000) and National Capitol Region (Virginia will receive a portion of $733,000)
- Emergency Management Performance Grant: $6.5 million.
During the next month, OCP and VDEM will work together to allocate the funds to the highest priority initiatives.
Virginia adopts new intelligence-sharing tool
Virginia has a new intelligence-sharing tool available to public safety, emergency management and law enforcement personnel. The Homeland Security Information Network is an online network currently used by the Department of Homeland Security nationwide that enables real-time sharing of threat information. HSIN-Virginia is a subset of the network, offering three different levels of access to daily reports posted by the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and the Fusion Center. In addition, HSIN users can post reports to share with other HSIN users and receive daily notices of new reports available. During the next year, DHS will move to "HSIN Next Generation," which will update the current HSIN technology to improve security and enhance many other capabilities.
HSIN replaces the Virginia Critical Information Shared System, offering access through the Internet and simplifying access categories. An intelligence-sharing tool only, HSIN does not replace WebEOC, which is the Commonwealth's primary resource request management and tracking tool.
Virginia law enforcement, emergency management, government and private-sector partners with a need to know about emergency, disaster and terrorism preparedness and response information should request access to the network. Applicants should send an e-mail to hsin.va@vsp.virginia.gov with their full name, organization and e-mail address. Law enforcement officers and analysts should clearly indicate that they work in a law enforcement capacity. All other users should include a brief job description that demonstrates their need to know. Applicants must submit their official e-mail addresses; personal e-mail addresses will not be accepted.
FEMA announces VOPEX results
Evaluators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency praised the performance of state and local governments at 78 locations during the Virginia Operations Plan Exercise conducted July 22-23. VOPEX is conducted every year, alternating between the Surry and North Anna power stations, and tests the ability of the station and state and local governments to respond to an emergency. Multi-day drills occur every six years to address response procedures beyond the 10 miles immediately surrounding the power station. This year's scenario led to a General Emergency and an evacuation of surrounding areas. A total of 86 FEMA evaluators graded state and local emergency management officials on 561 separate criteria. FEMA's preliminary comments identified no "Areas Requiring Corrective Action." FEMA will release a final report later this year. For more information about the exercise, contact Susan Binkley, VDEM radiological emergency preparedness planner, at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6591 or susan.binkley@vdem.virginia.gov.
Unified hazard mitigation grants and workshops available
FEMA is now accepting applications for the Severe Repetitive Loss Program, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, the Repetitive Flood Claims Program and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. Local governments, state colleges and universities, and state agencies that currently have a FEMA-approved, local all-hazard mitigation plan (in accordance with Stafford Act Section 322) are eligible. Projects must conform to the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, address environmental, historical and economic justice issues, provide a long-term mitigation solution for the community, demonstrate cost-effectiveness, comply with program regulations, and be consistent with the state and local government's overall mitigation strategies as listed in their all-hazard mitigation plan.
Grant applications are due to VDEM no later than Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. More information and grant guidance are available at http://www.vaemergency.com/grants/grantDetails.cfm?desiredGrantID=40.
To assist grant applicants, VDEM is offering one-day workshops in August for individuals who will manage or apply for these grants and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This course will address project budgeting, supporting documentation, timelines, applications and program implementation. Workshops are available in Chesapeake (Aug. 21), Chesterfield County (Aug. 26) and Roanoke (Aug. 28). Register online through VDEM's Training Calendar at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=114.
For more information contact VDEM Hazard Mitigation Specialist Philip Hunt at philip.hunt@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-6500 ext. 6535 or VDEM Hazard Mitigation Specialist Matt Wall at matthew.wall@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-6500 ext. 6541.
New Commonwealth critical infrastructure protection plan
The Virginia's Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resiliency Strategic Plan (also known as the "Virginia Plan") became effective June 30. The focus of the plan is to define the Commonwealth's strategy to protect critical infrastructure and key resources so that essential state services and economic functions continue during a terrorist attack, a natural disaster or other type of significant incident. The plan adheres to the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, ensuring that federal funding and resources are used effectively to mitigate the impacts of these emergencies. The Office of Commonwealth Preparedness will work with local, state and federal officials and the private sector to coordinate the strategy and supporting plans.
The plan is available on OCP's Web site: http://www.ocp.virginia.gov/Initiatives/documents/VA_Plan.pdf.
New emergency response communications vehicle
VDEM has a new mobile communications platform that can travel to the site of an emergency and integrate local, state and federal communications systems. The Technical Support Unit allows responders on site to communicate with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center over long distances, access the Internet and use a dedicated satellite link to pass audio and video data to the VEOC and response partners. The TSU is available to localities that request communications support through the VEOC.
Whistle Stop Tour comes to Roanoke
The Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response, or TRANSCAER®, is conducting a Whistle Stop Tour of southeastern states Sept. 15-19. The tour seeks to emphasize the importance of rail, truck and chemical emergency planning and to provide hands-on training. Demonstrations and presentations will focus on topics such as tank car recognition and hazardous material incident management. After stops in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, the tour will conclude in Roanoke Sept. 19 at the Norfolk Southern South Yard, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event includes lunch.
More information and a list of classes and exhibits are available at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/NorfolkSouthernSept08.cfm.
Statewide tornado drill date set
The 2009 Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for March 17 at 9:45 a.m. The Code of Virginia requires that all public schools participate in at least one tornado drill per year, and this drill provides an opportunity to fulfill that requirement. However, if this drill date or time is not convenient, schools are welcome to choose an alternative date or time. Private schools, businesses and families also are encouraged to participate. Nearly 340,000 students, employees and family members registered their participation in the 2008 drill. Registration for the 2009 drill will open later this year.
Learn how to conduct a drill at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado/index.cfm.
EM Update is the best way to communicate best practices and to get a heads up on issues that might affect you. Articles include case studies, cost/resource-saving local programs, examples of partnerships and regional cooperation and recognition of emergency managers who receive awards and honors in the field.
Please don't hesitate to contact the editor whenever you have a project that might benefit localities or want to highlight an important issue concerning Virginia's emergency response community. Contact Jolie Shank at (804) 897-6510 or by e-mail at pio@vdem.virginia.gov.
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