Emergency preparedness budget proposals
Gov. Tim Kaine has proposed an amendment to the Commonwealth's 2006-2008 budget that provides $7.6 million to address emergency preparedness critical needs. If approved by the General Assembly, the funds would expand sheltering capacity, improve emergency communication with the public, upgrade equipment and fund disaster planning. The governor also proposed $9.6 million to purchase and stockpile the maximum recommended amount of flu treatments in preparation for a possible pandemic. The governor's proposed amendments will be introduced in both houses of the General Assembly on Jan. 10.

Hazard mitigation funds available
Up to $10 million is available nationally through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Repetitive Flood Claims Program to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. The program's goal is to fund the acquisition of severe repetitive loss properties that have had one or more claim payments for flood damages. All RFC project applications must be fully completed and submitted to VDEM by 5 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2007. Application forms, guidance documents, a list of eligible communities and eligibility criteria are available online.

In addition, nearly $500,000 is available from FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program to fund cost-beneficial structural flood mitigation projects and development or update of flood mitigation plans. Eligible applicants include local governments, planning district commissions, state agencies, and public colleges and universities. Although private nonprofit organizations are not eligible to apply, an eligible state agency or local government may serve as that project's sponsor. A FEMA-approved flood mitigation plan and a current flood insurance policy on structures are required. Grantees must be able to meet the required non-federal match of 25 percent of the full project costs to be eligible for the grant. All FMA project applications must be fully completed and submitted to VDEM by 5 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2007. Application forms, guidance documents, a list of eligible communities and eligibility criteria are available online.

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
Both houses of the U.S. Congress have passed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (S. 3678), which puts the Department of Health and Human Services in charge of federal medical response to bioterrorism attacks or disease outbreaks and removes the Department of Homeland Security from any lead role. After the House and Senate agree on a combined version of the legislation, the bill will go to the president for his signature. The act also returned control of the National Disaster Medical System from DHS to HHS. DHS took over the system when the department was formed in 2003. The system, formally under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is responsible for coordinating federal medical response to major emergencies or disasters. In addition, the bill establishes within HHS the new position of assistant secretary of preparedness and response, who will manage response to a pandemic disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack, coordinate state and local response efforts, and oversee advanced bioterrorism and pandemic research and development efforts.

Virginia Business Emergency Survival Toolkit
VDEM and Virginia Citizen Corps have developed a printed version of the Virginia Business Emergency Survival Toolkit, an online resource launched last year to help business owners and emergency planners become prepared for disasters and emergencies. The printed version is available from the Public Affairs Office at (866) 782-3470.

VDFP executive director appointed
Gov. Tim Kaine appointed Willie G. Shelton, Jr. to serve as the executive director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. He is responsible for executive level supervision of agency staff, budgeting guidance, strategic planning, validation of programs, guidance on state preparedness issues, assistance with the coordination of statewide training and education programs, and agency response to large scale emergencies to support local jurisdictions. Shelton has served as VDFP's branch chief for training and technical services since 2000.

Virginia emergency manager nominated to federal position
President Bush announced that he would nominate Gregory Brian Cade as administrator of the United States Fire Administration at the Department of Homeland Security. For the past eight years, Chief Cade has served as fire chief and emergency services coordinator in Virginia Beach, where he has managed 19 fire and rescue stations and managed several federally declared disasters. Once confirmed, he will manage all day-to-day operations of the USFA's National Emergency Training Center facility, oversee all projects and programs of the USFA and complete the transition of the USFA into the new Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Directorate.

Training...
USFA Volunteer Incentive Program
The United States Fire Administration is currently accepting applications for the National Fire Academy. Four courses are available April 22-27, at the Noble Training Center in Anniston, Ala.:

• Fire Cause Determination for Company Officers (M811)
• Management Strategies for Success (Leadership I, II, III) (M824)
• Presenting Effective Public Education Programs (M826)
• Command and Control of Incident Operations (M831)

Information on these courses and the related student selection criteria is available online.

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