New VEOC operational
VDEM switched operations over to the new Virginia Emergency Operations Center on Jan. 17. The facility serves as a central workplace for the numerous state agencies and nonprofit organizations that compose the Virginia Emergency Response Team during disasters. After two years of construction, VERT members now have access to state-of-the-art technology, housed in the larger facility that was designed and built in collaboration with the Virginia Department of State Police and various local and state agency partners. The new location features 17,100 square feet of space, nearly seven times more than the old VEOC bunker; more than 260 computers and monitors; forty-five miles of wiring for electrical and IT connectivity; and a 1,000 kilowatt generator to provide backup power when needed. VDEM will hold an Open House on March 1.

Additional Public Safety appointments
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced additional appointments to the Office of Public Safety. Marilyn P. Harris will continue to serve as deputy secretary of Public Safety, a position she has held since June 2005. Dawn B. Smith, with 15 years of government experience, will serve as assistant secretary for Public Safety.

VOPEX 2006
VDEM will lead the Virginia Operations Plan Exercise with a simulated radiological emergency at the Surry Power Station on Feb. 7. This drill will help state and local governments test their response procedures in the unlikely event of a radiation release.

Response agencies and local government representatives will role-play their emergency operations functions from the state and local government emergency operations centers. Participating localities include the counties of Charles City, Isle of Wight, James City, New Kent, Surry, York and the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and Williamsburg.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will monitor the progress of the drill and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results, detailing areas needing improvement. FEMA will review the success of the exercise at a public meeting.

Annual exercises rotate between the Surry and North Anna nuclear power stations and usually last about six hours. Multi-day drills are conducted every six years.

Arlington MMRS receives UASI funds
Northern Virginia Chief Administration Officers helped secure $2.9 million of UASI funding in the National Capitol Region to expand the Arlington Metropolitan Medical Response System to a regional system. The expansion will bring together emergency response representatives from the city of Alexandria and the counties of Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William to develop regional plans for response to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive event.

Representatives on the Jurisdictional Development Team include those from emergency management, public safety, mental health services, mass fatality management, public health and hospitals. MMRS exists in 124 jurisdictions across the United States, through Arlington and Hampton Roads are two of only a few systems that plan regionally. Contact David Schwengel at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission at (703) 642-4624 for more information.

Conferences...
VEMA Conference
The Virginia Emergency Management Association’s 2006 spring conference, "Quarterbacking Emergency Management," will be at the Williamsburg Marriott. Pre-conference seminars on Apr. 4 and the main conference Apr. 5-7 will feature topics such as exercise coordination, special events planning, stress management and lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. The conference brochure and registration form is available for download from VDEM’s Web site.

Training...
Recovery from Disaster: The Local Government Role
Local disaster recovery team members such as emergency managers, city and county administrators, public works directors, building inspectors and community planners can learn the roles and responsibilities of each member of a local disaster recovery team. Participants will also develop an outline of their own local disaster recovery plan. The 16-hour class is scheduled for Feb. 15-16 and April 26-27. Registration deadlines and forms are available online.

Mitigation Planning Workshop
This course is designed for local government emergency managers and those responsible for developing or implementing mitigation projects. Students will learn the requirements and components of the Stafford Act Section 322 All-hazard Mitigation Plan. Throughout the course, success stories and Virginia "best practices" will highlight the basic principles of mitigation from damage assessment to successful implementation of mitigation. Class is Feb. 22-23 in Newport News and March 7-8 in Roanoke.

Advanced ICS Command and General Staff - Complex Incidents
This three-day course is designed for staff in several disciplines who would likely serve as incident commanders in the Incident Command System. Topics include command and general staff, unified command, major incident management, area command and multi-agency coordination. The course includes group activities, a tabletop exercise and a final examination. Class is Feb. 28 - March 2 in Newport News. Registration closes Feb. 7.

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