Arlington County Office of Emergency Management

Arlington County Office of Emergency Management
Agency name	Arlington County Office of Emergency Management
Jurisdiction	Arlington County, Virginia
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia
Parent agency	Arlington County government

Arlington County Office of Emergency Management provides coordinated emergency management functions for Arlington County, Virginia, integrating hazard mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery across local and regional partners. It operates in concert with neighboring jurisdictions including Alexandria, Virginia, Fairfax County, Virginia, and federal entities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States Department of Homeland Security, and National Capital Region stakeholders to protect residents, infrastructure, and critical facilities.

Overview and Mission

The office’s mission aligns with national frameworks including the National Incident Management System, the National Response Framework, and guidance from the Department of Homeland Security, emphasizing resilience for hazards such as storms, flooding, pandemics, and chemical incidents. Its mandate encompasses coordination with the Arlington County Board, the Arlington County Police Department, the Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington Public Schools, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and federal partners like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during public health emergencies.

History and Organizational Development

Origins trace to civil defense initiatives influenced by Cold War-era planning and later reorganization following lessons from events like Hurricane Katrina, the September 11 attacks, and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. The office expanded capabilities through collaborations with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Northern Virginia Emergency Managers Council, and regional mutual aid agreements. Investments in emergency operations facilities, interoperable communications influenced by requirements from the Federal Communications Commission, and grant awards from programs administered by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security shaped its evolution.

Structure and Leadership

The office is embedded within Arlington County’s public safety and homeland resilience apparatus, working under county administrative leadership and reporting to elected officials on emergency policy matters. It maintains functional liaisons with the Arlington County Manager’s Office, the Arlington County Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office, the Arlington County Police Department Special Operations Division, and public health officials from the Arlington County Public Health Division. Leadership commonly coordinates with regional directors from the Virginia Department of Health, the National Weather Service, and federal counterparts at the Department of Homeland Security.

Programs and Services

Programs include hazard mitigation planning informed by Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, continuity of operations planning aligned with Presidential Policy Directive 40, and risk communication strategies tied to protocols used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Services provided encompass Emergency Operations Center activation, disaster recovery assistance coordination with Small Business Administration disaster loans, sheltering operations with the American Red Cross, and coordination of mass care, debris management, and critical infrastructure protection involving U.S. Army Corps of Engineers liaisons.

Emergency Planning and Preparedness

Planning emphasizes multi-hazard analyses incorporating data from the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Weather Service, and regional transportation partners including Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Virginia Railway Express. The office develops and maintains the county’s emergency operations plan consistent with National Incident Management System doctrine, conducts risk assessments referencing the FEMA National Risk Index, and coordinates evacuation planning with adjacent jurisdictions such as Fairfax County and City of Falls Church, Virginia.

Training, Exercises, and Community Outreach

Training programs and exercises follow standards from the FEMA National Preparedness Directorate and the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. The office organizes tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises in partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Pentagon Force Protection Agency, and local hospitals such as Inova Hospital. Community outreach includes public information campaigns aligned with Ready.gov, coordination with civic groups and faith-based organizations, and volunteer integration with the Medical Reserve Corps and the Community Emergency Response Team.

Notable Responses and Incidents

Notable activations include responses to major weather events and to public health crises where coordination with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and regional partners was central. The office has coordinated emergency operations during significant events impacting the National Capital Region, involving incident management protocols used during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, severe winter storms that disrupted Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority service, and regional multi-agency drills that included participation by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

Category:Emergency management in the United States Category:Arlington County, Virginia institutions