Virginia attains full EMAP accreditation
Virginia has achieved full accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, becoming one of seven states or territories in the country to do so. The state demonstrated compliance with 54 national standards in 15 functional areas, including planning and procedures; resource management; training; exercises, evaluations and corrective actions; and communications and warning. To date, 45 states and territories have received baseline assessments by EMAP, an ind ependent professional organization that establishes credible standards in emergency management. Virginia joins Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, the consolidated city/county of Jacksonville/Duval in Florida, and the District of Columbia in achieving full accreditation.

Commonwealth adopts NIMS
Gov. Mark R. Warner signed Executive Order 102, formally adopting the National Incident Management System and the National Preparedness Goal. NIMS has been mandated nationally through Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5, and provides a framework to integrate operations at local, state and federal levels through the Incident Command System. The executive order sets out seven requirements for VDEM and several other state agencies:

1. VDEM is responsible for NIMS implementation throughout the state. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is responsible for coordination of NIMS compliant Incident Command System training activities among state and local governments.
2. VDEM and other state agencies will ensure that NIMS training is delivered annually.
3. All emergency plans will be developed in alignment with NIMS, the National Response Plan and the National Preparedness Goals.
4. All annual emergency and disaster drills will test the ability of operations at all levels to function in a unified manner under NIMS.
5. Any state or local government, quasi-governmental entity, private relief organization or other public and private entity desiring federal preparedness funding will be required to certify their adoption of NIMS.
6. VDEM, in cooperation with other state agencies, will provide performance measures for assessing compliance with NIMS within six months.
7. VDEM, in cooperation with other state agencies, will review the National Preparedness Goal and recommend any additional needed elements that are specific to Virginia.

The complete text of the executive order is available at VDEM's Web site.

HSPD-8 and 2006 Homeland Security Grant explanations
The way Homeland Security Grant applications are assessed will change in 2006. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 defines seven priorities for funding to localities, which will determine the 2006 HSG allotment for Virginia:

• Implementing the National Incident Management System and National Response Plan nation-wide;
• Expanding Regional Collaboration;
• Implementing the Interim National Infrastructure Protection Plan;
• Strengthening Information Sharing and Collaboration Capabilities;
• Strengthening Interoperable Communications Capabilities;
• Strengthening Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Detection, Response and Decontamination Capabilities;
• Strengthening Medical Surge and Mass Prophylaxis Capabilities.

Previously, HSG funds were based on a formula that consisted of a base amount for all states, plus additional funds based on population. In 2006, HSG funds will be based on each state's need.

VDEM will develop an interpretation of each element in January 2006 to assist local emergency managers in gathering information integral to the application process. The application is due Mar. 2, 2006. HSPD-8 and 2006 Homeland Security Grant information is available at VDEM's Web site and the Department of Homeland Security's Lessons Learned Information Sharing Web site (a free registration is required).

Ads urge businesses to get Ready
The Department of Homeland Security and the Ad Council released a series of business-oriented public service announcements this month for the Ready Business campaign, designed to increase business owners' and employees' awareness of emergency preparedness. The new ads for radio, print and the Internet encourage managers and owners of small to medium-sized businesses to visit the Ready Business campaign Web site, where the ads are available for download.

VDEM launched the Virginia Business Emergency Survival Toolkit in June 2005, an online guide for business emergency preparedness that offers Virginia-specific advice about creating an evacuation plan, planning for fire safety, considering people with special needs in their plans, securing facilities and equipment, and reviewing insurance coverage.

First responder guidebooks available
VDEM and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services have partnered to publish the Commonwealth of Virginia Incident Command System Job Aid, a generic pocket reference designed for instructors, students and members of an incident command team. The guidebook contains a summary of key incident management principles and procedures, and a compilation of ICS position checklists.

VDEM has also partnered with the state Office of Emergency Medical Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Fire Programs and VDCJS to publish the Virginia First Responders’ Anti-Terrorism Pocket Guide. This reference tool is intended as a supplement to local regulations in assisting first responders in preparing for, preventing and responding to a terrorist or other man-made incident or natural disaster. Local governments, state agencies and volunteer groups can obtain copies of either publication from Joyce Honderich at VDEM.

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