LIS

Virginia Law

Administrative Code

Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. Once the report is generated you'll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report.

Virginia Administrative Code
Title 19. Public Safety
11/21/2024

19VAC10. Department of Emergency Management

VAC AGENCY NO. 10

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Department of Emergency Management is authorized to promulgate plans and programs in preparation for, response to, and recovery from emergencies/disasters (natural or man-made) and for emergency management of resources; to coordinate and administer emergency/disaster mitigation preparedness, response and recovery programs and emergency resource management/resilience plans and programs with federal, state, and local government agencies and other groups; to coordinate the distribution of federal grants to assist local and state agencies with building capabilities and with recovering from disasters; to provide guidance to state agencies and local governments in designing emergency/disaster programs and plans; and to assist state agencies and political subdivisions in establishing and operating training and public information programs and education regarding emergency services and disaster preparedness activities. The department is responsible for development of state hazard-specific contingency plans for oil and hazardous materials, radiological emergency response, hurricane preparedness, and terrorism consequence management. Code of Virginia, Title 44, Chapters 3.2 through 3.5; see also Executive Orders No. 1 (2011).

The department coordinates the state's participation in the Emergency Management Assistance Compact that provides mutual assistance between the states entering into this compact in managing any emergency or disaster that is duly declared by the governor of the affected state. Code of Virginia, Title 44, Chapter 3.2.

The department is directed to maintain a register of shippers of hazardous radioactive materials and monitor the transportation within the Commonwealth of those materials. Code of Virginia, Title 44, Chapter 3.3.

The department has the duty of assisting in the development, approval of and testing of radiological emergency response plans for localities adjacent to nuclear generating facilities and of managing the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund to support activities of state agencies and local governments in establishing, maintaining and operating plans and programs for radiological emergency response around nuclear power stations. Code of Virginia, Title 44, Chapter 3.4.

The department is authorized to coordinate the development of hazardous materials training programs and hazardous materials emergency response programs and plans with state and local government agencies and related groups and administer the implementation of the Virginia Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Program. The department provides staff support for the Virginia Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Advisory Council. Code of Virginia, Title 44, Chapter 3.5.

The department is authorized to coordinate search and rescue functions of the department; to coordinate with local, state and federal agencies involved in search and rescue; to coordinate the activities of search and rescue organizations involved in search and rescue; to maintain a register of search and rescue certifications, training and responses; to establish a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Search and Rescue Council and its respective member agencies regarding search and rescue efforts; to provide on-scene search and rescue coordination when requested by an authorized person; to provide specialized search and rescue training to police, fire-rescue, EMS, emergency managers, volunteer search and rescue responders, and others; to gather and maintain statistics on search and rescue in the Commonwealth; to compile, maintain, and make available an inventory of search and rescue resources available in the Commonwealth. Code of Virginia, Title 44, Chapter 3.2.

The department operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security but during a declared emergency reverts to direct operational control of the Governor. The department operates the State Emergency Operations Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The department's principal office is at 10501 Trade Court, Richmond, VA 23236. Internet address: http://www.vaemergency.gov/

The department has issued various plans providing for all-hazards emergency operations, disaster assistance, and resource management. These are distributed to state agencies and local governments and are available for public inspection in the agency's office or in the office of the Coordinator of Emergency Management of each county or city in the Commonwealth.

Rev. 08/2019

 

 

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.