1. An Introduction To VDEM VDEM Director of External Affairs
Jeff Caldwell
VDEM Director of External Affairs

2. WHO WE ARE:
VDEM works with local government, state and federal agencies and voluntary organizations to provide resources and expertise through the five mission areas of emergency management:
Prevention
Protection
Mitigation
Response
Recovery
To learn more about ways VDEM is working to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery, visit

3. VDEM’s Impact on Virginia
Statewide Emergency Response Programs
HAZMAT, Search and Rescue, Emergency Support for localities
$20 million in grants for Virginia
$6 million general fund budget
$3 million in special funds
Completed 375 Public Assistance grants through FEMA to help Virginia localities
Paid out $33 million in federal and state disaster assistance

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY (VA Code Ann. § 44-146.18)
Originally created in 1973
Tasked with Protecting the Commonwealth from natural and man-made disasters
Works with local, state, federal agencies and voluntary organizations to provide resources during an emergency
Governor is Virginia’s chief disaster officer, delegated authority to VDEM State Coordinator to run day-to-day operations during emergency events
All state agencies and resources are subject to being called in to respond to disaster situations

5. Virginia Is Impacted By All Hazards

6. During a Disaster Local Governments:
Restore/provide essential/vital services.
Water
Power
Communications
Transportation
Shelter
Medical Care
Assist individuals and families in need
Request help from the state when needed

7. During a Disaster (cont.)
VDEM:
Responds to requests from local governments
Commits state resources such as the National Guard
Reviews local assessments to determine if requirements exceed state capabilities
Local situation reports
Local initial damage assessment reports
State agencies damage assessment reports
Other damage and situational information

8. During a Disaster (cont.)
VDEM:
Determines if a State of Emergency needs to be declared
VEOC assessment of impact
Draft Executive Order
Governor declares State of Emergency
Requests federal assistance
VEOC summary of impact on localities
Need for federal resources to recover.
FEMA determines need for military resources

9. What Most People Don’t Know About VDEM
Responsible for HAZMAT training and response to HAZMAT spills
Coordinates search and rescue operations statewide including more than 600 SAR volunteers
Manages Virginia’s 7 technical and urban search and rescue teams in cooperation with Virginia Dept. of Fire Programs
Coordinates sending Virginia resources and personnel to other states to respond to major disasters through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

10. PLANNING: OPS/STRATEGIC PLAN
Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP)
Local Planning Assistance
Continuity of Government/Operations
Flood planning

11. VDEM’s 7 Regions
Regions provide single source of communication between agency and localities
Coordination of state assets

12. REGIONAL TEAM CONCEPT Coordination of state assets
Regions provide single source of communication between agency and localities
Cross-training to ensure cohesion, redundancy and continuity of operations
Enhanced situational awareness and reporting
Quick, integrated response during emergencies
Fully leverage grant funding and promote sustainability
Identify and plan for evolving threats and hazards

13. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS UNIT
24-hour operations
State warning point
Multiple and redundant communications
Alerting and warning systems
Mobile capabilities

14. Virginia Emergency Support Team
Coordinate support for events, disasters and emergencies throughout the Commonwealth
More than 400 trained members
State agencies
Non-profit organizations
Private partners
Federal partners

15. Recovery and Mitigation
Joint Field Office (JFO) near disaster site to implement federal and state assistance programs
State-Federal JFO staff
State Coordinating Officer
Federal Coordinating Officer
State staff deployed to JFO
State Disaster Recovery Task Force activation
Managed grant programs to mitigate more than 1,300 properties in the last 15 years

16. External Affairs Strategic communication and outreach Agency awareness
Emergency public information
Preparedness campaigns
Intergovernmental affairs
Local and state Elected Officials outreach
Legislation impact analysis

17. For more information, visit www.vaemergency.gov
Questions?
Jeff Caldwell
(804)
For more information, visit