Virginia Department of Emergency Management Advisory Council

Virginia Department of Emergency Management Advisory Council
Name	Virginia Department of Emergency Management Advisory Council
Type	Advisory body
Headquarters	Richmond, Virginia
Formed	20th century
Parent organization	Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Virginia Department of Emergency Management Advisory Council The Virginia Department of Emergency Management Advisory Council advises the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and supports preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery across Richmond, Virginia, Virginia General Assembly, Commonwealth of Virginia, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and regional partners. The council convenes experts from National Guard (United States), American Red Cross, United States Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and municipal authorities to inform policy, coordinate funding, and evaluate exercises. Its work intersects with state statutes, federal programs, and interagency initiatives such as Stafford Act, Homeland Security Presidential Directive, National Incident Management System, Incident Command System, and state emergency plans.

History

The council traces antecedents to post-World War II civil defense structures paralleling Federal Civil Defense Administration efforts and was reshaped during the late 20th century amid responses to events like Hurricane Camille, 1993 Storm of the Century, and the 9/11 attacks. Legislative changes enacted by the Virginia General Assembly and executive directives from gubernatorial administrations including those of Governor Tim Kaine and Governor Terry McAuliffe influenced statutory mandates, interagency coordination, and grant administration procedures. Federal partnerships with FEMA Region III, collaboration with Department of Homeland Security, and lessons from incidents such as Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy prompted reforms in hazard mitigation planning, continuity of operations, and public alerting systems. Judicial and legislative reviews tied to disaster recovery appropriations and infrastructure resilience initiatives also informed the council’s evolving role.

Mission and Responsibilities

The council’s mission aligns with statutory objectives to advise on mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery priorities affecting communities served by Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia State Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation (Virginia), and local emergency managers across counties and independent cities such as Norfolk, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Fairfax County, Virginia, and Henrico County, Virginia. Responsibilities include recommending state hazard mitigation strategies consistent with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program criteria, reviewing statewide emergency operations plans in coordination with National Weather Service, assessing public alert and warning systems tied to Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, and advising on allocation of federal grants including FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance and FEMA Public Assistance. The council also supports compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations during evacuations and the integration of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance into public health emergency planning.

Membership and Organization

Membership typically comprises appointed representatives from state agencies, local government associations such as the Virginia Association of Counties and Virginia Municipal League, non-governmental organizations including American Red Cross and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, academic institutions like University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and specialty disciplines represented by National Weather Service, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Dominion Energy. Appointments are made under statutes that reference the Virginia Administrative Code and may require gubernatorial nomination, legislative confirmation procedures associated with the Virginia State Senate, or ex officio inclusion of officials from the Attorney General of Virginia office and the State Health Commissioner. Subcommittees address topics such as disaster recovery, continuity planning, hazard mitigation, public communications, and training linked to National Emergency Management Association standards and the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

Meetings and Procedures

The council holds regular meetings in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and applicable state open meetings rules, often convening at facilities in Richmond, Virginia or via virtual platforms utilized during events similar to the COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia. Agendas follow parliamentary procedures influenced by precedents from bodies like the Virginia Board of Health and include public comment periods modeled on practices used by the Virginia Department of Transportation Board. Meeting records, recommendations, and state emergency plan reviews are coordinated with the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and integrated into timelines for federal grant applications and corrective action plans submitted to FEMA Region III.

Coordination with Agencies and Stakeholders

The council acts as a nexus among state agencies such as Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Social Services, Virginia Department of Transportation, and federal partners including FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It engages with private-sector utilities like Dominion Energy, nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army (United States), academic partners including George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and local emergency management directors from jurisdictions including Alexandria, Virginia and Charlottesville, Virginia. Coordination extends to regional planning bodies like the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and multi-state compacts involving Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean and interstate emergency management exercises with North Carolina Emergency Management and Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

Notable Activities and Impact

The council contributed to statewide preparedness enhancements following incidents including Hurricane Isabel, Tropical Storm Irene, and the COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, advising on sheltering strategies, evacuation routes coordinated with Virginia Department of Transportation, and distribution of federal relief under programs administered by FEMA. It has influenced mitigation investments in coastal resilience projects in partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant programs and informed floodplain management initiatives tied to Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps. The council’s recommendations have been reflected in emergency operations plan revisions adopted by counties and cities, tabletop and full-scale exercises aligned with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, and statewide adoption of interoperable communications protocols compatible with FirstNet. Its advisory role continues to shape public safety policy, grant prioritization, and cross-sector resilience across the Commonwealth.

Category:Emergency management in Virginia Category:Organizations based in Richmond, Virginia