July 15, 2009

Greensville County signs agreement with Commonwealth to provide shelter
Greensville County is the first Virginia locality to provide a locally managed, inland evacuation shelter outside of the Hampton Roads area. The shelter would house people who have been instructed to evacuate their homes during an emergency. The county signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth to use $165,000 in Homeland Security Grant Program funds to enhance a new public educational facility so that it can be used as a shelter during a natural or man-made emergency.

VDEM is the state-administering agency for HSGP funds, which localities can use to contract the enhancement of shelter sites, develop and produce site-specific plans, and prepare the MOU and shelter operating procedures. HSGP funds can also help with the cost of equipment, training and exercise.

VDEM, in turn, will help to purchase and deliver equipment and supplies to the shelter and reimburse Greensville County 100 percent of eligible costs of running the shelter during a governor-declared state of emergency.

The Commonwealth does not disclose the specific locations it will use as public shelters in advance of an emergency in order to avoid confusion; public shelters will open as needed, and they will not open at the same time. Emergency officials will announce public shelters as they open through local media.

The new building will be available for use as a shelter by Sept. 1, 2010.

Local Capability Assessment for Readiness overdue
Every year, each locality in the Commonwealth is required to submit a Local Capability Assessment for Readiness by July 1. If your locality has not submitted its LCAR, a copy of the assessment form and instructions are available on the VDEM Web site at http://www.vaemergency.com/library/forms/index.cfm. VDEM’s LCAR report will compile the self-evaluations of localities in areas such as resource management, planning and training.

For more information or assistance with completing the report, contact Eileen Tarr at Eileen.Tarr@vdem.virginia.gov, (804) 897-6500, ext. 6529, or Tammie Cox at Tammie.Cox@vdem.virginia.gov, (804) 897-6500, ext. 6521.

President Obama launches United We Serve
National Preparedness Month Coalition registration open
President Barack Obama has called on all Americans to serve their communities through United We Serve, a summer service initiative, June 22 – Sept. 11. Citizens can visit the new White House Web site, http://www.serve.gov, to find local service opportunities, register service projects, connect with others and share stories.

In addition, 2009 will mark the sixth anniversary of National Preparedness Month in September, when national, regional, state and local organizations will distribute educational information, host events and sponsor activities throughout the country to promote emergency preparedness. Any organization planning to participate in a National Preparedness Month event should register online at http://www.citizencorps.gov.

Dam loans and grants available
Loans and grants are available through the summer 2009 funding round for the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund. The fund provides proper and safe design, construction, operation and maintenance of dams to protect public safety. All dams in Virginia are subject to the Dam Safety Act and Dam Safety Regulations unless specifically excluded.

The loan and grant manual and information about hazard classifications and certificates are available from the Virginia Department of Conservations and Recreation’s Web site at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam_safety_and_floodplains/.

Arlington CERT reaches international audience
Arlington County Community Emergency Response Team members participated in a documentary produced by the U.S. State Department and the country of Georgia. The Georgian Public Broadcasting station in Tbilisi filmed a practice session of the CERT as part of an upcoming television series on emergency preparedness. The series will show best practices in individual preparedness and government, private sector and community coordination. The Georgian Public Broadcasting has nationwide coverage, reaching 80 percent of viewers in the country.

Began in 2002, the Arlington County CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response. The eight-week training program follows an established nationwide curriculum. More information about the Arlington County CERT program is available at http://www.arlingtonva.us/oem.

Training...
ESF 14 Long-term Recovery Workshop
With help from local, state, federal and nonprofit partners, VDEM conducted an ESF 14 Long-Term Recovery Workshop on July 1 at the Virginia Housing Development Authority in Richmond. Approximately 80 people attended the workshop, which provided an overview of the federal and state ESF 14 framework and capabilities, available federal technical assistance and support, and lessons learned from other disasters. Speakers included representatives from FEMA Headquarters, FEMA Region III, U.S. Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Virginia Tech and Florida’s Department of Emergency Management.

Presentations are available on VDEM’s Web site at http://www.vaemergency.com/newsroom/events/esf14_recoveryworkshop2009.cfm. More information about the workshop and presentations, contact George Roarty at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6574 or Larry Braja at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6538.

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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10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236