June 17, 2009

$90 million in 2009 homeland security grants for Virginia
DHS announced that Virginia, including the National Capital Region, would receive $90,353,631 through the Homeland Security Grant Program, nearly $3 million less than in FY08. HSGP includes Urban Area Security Initiative grants that will fund regional projects for all localities that are part of the Hampton Roads region ($7,372,100), the Richmond region ($2,670,050) and the National Capital Region ($58,006,500).

Other funding Virginia will receive as part of the HSGP includes:

• State Homeland Security Program – $20,048,000
• Citizen Corps Program – $329,655
• Metropolitan Medical Response System (6 sites) – $1,927,326

In addition, the Hampton Roads region and the NCR will receive funds from the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. Hampton Roads will receive $1,420,875 and the NCR will receive $3,617,000.

The NCR also will receive $572,409 for target hardening activities by nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. Hampton Roads will receive $150,000.

Virginia’s grant application was based on risks assessment and needs, and projects were developed after an extensive planning process that included input from local and state officials.

Changes to the COVEOP
VDEM has made the following adjustments to the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan:

• All of the hazardous materials-related information has been removed from Volume IV: Hazardous Materials and Terrorism Consequence Management. Volume IV is now the Terrorism Consequence Management Plan, currently under review.

• Volume VII: VDOT Emergency Operations Plan has been replaced with the new Volume VII: Hazardous Materials Response Plan, available at http://www.vaemergency.com/library/plans/coveop/hazmat/COVEOP_Volume_VII_Hazmat_Plan.pdf. VDOT will maintain its EOP.

• Volume V: Hurricane Response Plan has been updated so that it:

• Aligns with National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework, as well as the COVEOP
• Incorporates the revised technical data from the 2008 Hurricane Evacuation Study
• Coordinates with the Mass Sheltering Plan of the COVEOP
• Incorporates initial guidance for Emergency Relief and Re-Entry.
• All evacuation information has been removed from Support Annex 6, Mass Evacuation and Sheltering Plan. Support Annex 6 is now Mass Sheltering. All evacuation information has been moved into ESF 1: Transportation, which is under review.

Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grant available
Program guidance is now available for the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants. This grant program is part of the stimulus package known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Funds will be administered by FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration and awarded on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations.

The application period will end July 10 at 5 p.m. The e-application, an applicant tutorial and frequently asked questions are available at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/. Program guidance is available at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2009SCGguidance.pdf.

Emergency Operations Plan template workshop and plan review available to localities
Developing and Revising Your Local Emergency Operations Plan
VDEM’s Local Planning Assistance has developed a workshop for localities and institutions of higher education to help them create an emergency operations plan. These half-day workshops familiarize local governments with the planning process and the VDEM Emergency Operations Plan Template, available at http://www.vaemergency.com/library/plans/local_eop.cfm. The workshops are an excellent opportunity for emergency managers at institution of higher education and local emergency managers to work side-by-side and to learn more about legislation passed in recent years concerning EOPs.

Seven of these workshops have already helped more than 100 participants throughout the state. To schedule a workshop for your area, contact Eileen Tarr at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6529. Please refer to the training calendar for more information: http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=128.

LPA also offers technical assistance to any institution of higher education or locality revising its plan. LPA staff will attend planning meetings and review existing EOPs and revised drafts, partial drafts and plan sections at any point. LPA recommends that final drafts be submitted for review before formal adoption. A review of the final draft could prevent a situation that may require further revisions and an additional adoption by the governing board.

Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue during Disaster Operations
The U.S. National Response Team has released a Technical Assistance Document, “Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue during Disaster Operations,” to address worker fatigue during large-scale disaster operations, such as those following the Oklahoma City bombing, the Sept. 11 attacks, anthrax contamination, the Columbia Space Shuttle Recovery, and hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Volume I serves as a hands-on manual to help organizations to develop plans that address the fatigue and stress that come from working longer hours while dealing with the physical and environmental conditions in a disaster area.

The TAD identifies four essential components: assessment, risk factors, controls and evaluation and the kinds of information needed for each component. The TAD also provides an example of an incident-specific fatigue management plan and a fatigue management risk assessment tool.

Volume II summarizes the essential information compiled and reviewed by the NRT while developing its recommended approach.

The guidance is available at http://nrt.org/Production/NRT/NRTWeb.nsf/AllAttachmentsByTitle/SA-1049TADFinal/$File/TADfinal.pdf?OpenElement. The NRT is an organization of 16 federal departments and agencies responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and response to oil and hazardous substance pollution incidents.

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.

Produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236