Oct. 10, 2007

Federal grant will improve tactical conditions
The Commonwealth has received a $1 million federal Byrne Grant to upgrade tactical communications capabilities. The Rapid Deployment Solutions Interoperability Project, a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth and Sprint, secured the grant. Sprint will provide Virginia's public safety community a set of voice, video and data equipment, as well as infrastructure and technical support personnel to provide temporary communications during large events or catastrophic loss of communications capabilities.

• A Satellite-based Cellular site On Light Truck, or SATColt, provides both voice and radio capability through phone lines with satellite backup. It can mobilize within a few hours notice from the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.
• A Satellite Internet Protocol trailer provides remote local or wide area networks, wireless LANs, Voice over Internet Protocol and video connection between field personnel and personnel at the VEOC.
• 100 telephone instruments will supplement the Commonwealth's radio cache, currently being developed in Fairfax, Harrisonburg and Chesapeake. The telephones can serve to extend the current cellular/wireless network for any area, or they can act as a private network to ensure coverage when the normal cellular/wireless networks are overwhelmed.
• In addition, Sprint personnel will operate the truck and trailer wherever it is deployed in Virginia.

This investment will increase Virginia's ability to establish communications during large scale events or disasters. The project will include multiple exercises and will be used during drills and emergencies.

Listo Virginia launches Web site
Virginia's Spanish-speaking communities now have access to essential emergency preparedness information through a new Web site, http://www.ListoVirginia.gov. The site encourages citizens to prepare for emergencies by taking three easy steps: get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan and stay informed about the hazards that could impact Virginia.

Part of the effort will seek to educate people about preparedness through the use of public service announcements, which are now available for download from the Listo Virginia Web site in the Press Room area. Each PSA addresses an aspect of family preparedness, such as deciding on a meeting place or collecting emergency supplies. The PSAs are available in video and script formats.

Coordinator's Briefings
The Coordinator's Briefings offered through VDEM's training program are informative, eight-hour sessions. They are designed specifically for local jurisdiction emergency management directors, coordinators and deputy coordinators. Local elected officials and state agency staff are invited to take part as well. The briefings will be in Charlottesville (Nov.1), Newport News (Nov. 13) and Roanoke (Nov. 28). The registration deadline for the first briefing is Oct. 18.

Registration and lodging information are available through VDEM's online Training Calendar at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=10.

• Stafford County Department of Fire and Rescue will canvass pre-1980 constructed townhouse communities, mobile home parks and converted motels throughout the county to ensure that these homes have working smoke detectors and a fire escape plan. Stafford County will also target low-income Spanish-speaking households that have traditionally been left out of community-based injury prevention projects. So far, SCDFR has installed 826 regular detectors. More than 150 additional detectors will be given to hearing impaired individuals, referred by the disAbility Resources Center.
• The Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens is a nonprofit corporation and the designated area agency of aging serving four rural counties in southwestern Virginia; Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell. Agency staff will install smoke detectors and provide fire safety education to seniors and low-income households with children aged four and younger.

Both organizations will rely on their Fire Safety Coalitions, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and VDH's Division of Injury and Violence Prevention to effectively market their projects to target audiences; recruit participants; and implement and evaluate their projects throughout the year. Approximately 1,195 combined households will be recruited and 3,187 detectors will be installed.

2007 hurricane season forecast increased
Colorado State University's Dr. William Gray has updated the 2007 extended range forecast of Atlantic hurricane season activity, raising the number of hurricanes from 15 to 17. After the above average activity in August, Dr. Gray predicts that there will be another four named storms, two hurricanes and one intense hurricanes before the season ends Nov. 30. This is the last update to the 2007 hurricane season forecast.

Read the forecast: http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/Forecasts/

2008 statewide tornado drill
The statewide tornado drill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18 at 9:45 a.m. The Code of Virginia requires that all public schools participate in at least one tornado drill per year, and participation in this drill would fulfill that requirement. However, if this drill date or time is not convenient, schools are welcome to choose an alternative date or time. Private schools, businesses and families are also encouraged to participate. Last year, more than 170,000 students, businesses and families participated in the drill.

Learn how to conduct a drill and register online at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado/index.cfm.

Conferences...
Virginia Hazardous Materials Conference and Expo
The Virginia Association of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists and VDEM are sponsoring the 24th Annual Virginia Hazardous Materials Conference and Expo, Oct. 15-19 in Hampton. The conference offers more than 70 educational workshops and exhibits.

Conference information and online registration are available at http://www.virginiahazmat.org.

Virginia Public Safety Outreach Conference, "Ready Virginia"
Registration and a tentative conference agenda for the 2007 Virginia Public Safety Outreach Conference are now available at http://www.vaemergency.com. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Virginia Citizen Corps will sponsor the conference, Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Newport News Omni.

Conference sessions will focus on an array of topics, including how to leverage the Ready Virginia campaign to improve emergency preparedness locally. More information about Ready Virginia is available at http://www.readyvirginia.gov. E-mail questions about the conference to pio@vdem.virginia.gov.

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