The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) continues to make progress on two major studies examining the future of emergency management in the Commonwealth, with county representatives and other stakeholders providing critical input throughout the process.
During an August 6 stakeholder meeting, VDEM and its research partner, CNA, provided an update on the Emergency Management Needs Evaluation (HB 169 (Askew) / SB 98 (Stanley)) and the Non-Declared Response Needs Assessment (HB 1189 (O’Quinn)). The two studies are being conducted in tandem to ensure their findings are aligned and provide a comprehensive assessment of Virginia’s emergency management capabilities and funding needs.
According to the project team, the Emergency Management Needs Evaluation will document current state and local emergency management capabilities, identify priority needs, examine existing funding structures, evaluate the sustainability of current funding, and develop recommendations for long-term funding models. The report is scheduled for delivery to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security by September 1, with submission to the General Assembly due October 1.
Researchers are currently in the analysis phase, reviewing emergency management capabilities, funding trends, after-action reports, operational data, and best practices from other states. The study is also examining the impacts of changing federal funding, including the loss of Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding in parts of Virginia, and comparing funding approaches used in neighboring states.
VDEM encouraged local government stakeholders to continue sharing information and supporting documentation as the analysis progresses. The project timeline calls for preliminary findings in early August, a draft report during the week of August 17, review and validation the following week, and a final draft by the end of August.
The next stakeholder meeting is scheduled for August 19, where the project team will present emerging findings from the Emergency Management Needs Evaluation and seek additional feedback from participants before finalizing recommendations.
VACo appreciates VDEM’s continued engagement with local governments throughout this process and encourages county emergency managers and administrators to remain involved. These studies represent an important opportunity to identify long-term funding and policy solutions that strengthen emergency management capacity across the Commonwealth.
VACo supports efforts to study emergency management needs and associated funding, evaluate the sustainability of present funding models, and assess alternative funding strategies employed in other states.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett