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Emergency Management
Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Emergency Management protects county residents by coordinating all activities necessary to improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters, including:
- Assisting in emergency preparedness planning for individuals, businesses and organizations through education, resources and public outreach projects
- Assisting other localities as well as higher education institutions with exercise planning and evaluation
- Coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts
- Developing and maintaining all-hazard response and recovery plans
- Making available emergency plan templates to businesses, day care facilities, health care facilities and faith-based organizations
- Maintaining the county’s Emergency Operations Plan (PDF), which establishes the legal and organizational framework that guides Chesterfield County and allied partners in all phases of emergency management, including mitigating/preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies that threaten life or property within Chesterfield
- Planning and facilitating exercises for our county departments
- Training and managing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program
StormReady
The National Weather Service's StormReady program helps America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property before, during and after the event. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs. Chesterfield County is recognized as a StormReady community.
Preparedness Courses
Chesterfield County Emergency Management offers free community preparedness courses, including basic emergency preparedness and financial emergency preparedness. Emergency Management staff are available to attend community meetings to provide preparedness information.
View the Central Virginia Regional Emergency Preparedness Guide (PDF) and the FEMA Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (PDF) (EFFAK) and learn how you can be prepared, both physically and financially, for disasters.
Preparedness Resources
Sign Up and Stay Connected
Social Media
You can like the Chesterfield County Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to help stay informed.
TV and Radio
You should also monitor local news and radio stations. A weather radio should also be kept with your emergency supplies.
- What is emergency management?
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No matter what disaster or incident occurs, emergency management involves a constantly revolving cycle of four key elements:
- Prepare
- Respond
- Recover
- Mitigate
- What hazards is Chesterfield County susceptible to?
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Chesterfield County is susceptible to a variety of threats, both man-made and natural. Examples of these include but are not limited to:
- Acts of Terrorism
- Chemical
- Hazardous Material Spills
- Hurricanes
- Ice or Snow Storms
- Tornadoes
- If I spot a potential disaster, whom should I contact?
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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. You can report non-emergencies to 804-748-1251.
- What are the differences between natural and man-made disasters?
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Natural events may be more predictable depending on seasonal weather patterns. They also often give us time to prepare as most, but not all, escalate from smaller events. Examples of natural disasters include wind events such as hurricanes and tropical storms, tornadoes, ice/snow storms, and severe thunder storms.
Man-made emergencies are less predictable and often occur without warning with a faster speed of onset. Examples of man-made events include chemical or hazardous material spills, hostage situations, or acts of terrorism.
- What do I do when there's a weather alert/watch/warning for Chesterfield County?
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First, understand the terms. The National Weather Service issues alerts when dangerous weather conditions can potentially affect an area, or are in immediate danger of affecting an area.
A watch is used when there is a risk of hazardous weather (thunderstorm, tornado or flooding). When a watch is issued, keep an eye on the weather. Be ready to enact your plan if it becomes necessary to do so.
A warning is issued when hazardous weather (thunderstorm, tornado or flooding) is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. When a thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, take cover on the lowest level of your home, in an interior room. If your home is in danger of flooding, move to higher ground immediately.
- When is hurricane season?
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Hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th in the Atlantic and May 15th through November 30th in the Eastern Pacific. However, it is possible for tropical storms to occur outside of those date ranges.
- How can I prepare my family for a disaster?
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Chesterfield County residents need to prepare now for emergencies and disasters. There are simple, low-cost steps families can take to be ready including:
- Get a Kit
- Make a Plan
- Stay Informed:
- Social media is another way to get information, “Like” Chesterfield County, VA on Facebook
- For emergency notifications, sign up for Chesterfield Alert
You can also visit sites such as Ready.gov, the FEMA website, Ready Virginia, and Weather.gov for additional information.
- What items should we keep in our emergency kit?
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There should be enough supplies in your disaster kit to make each member of your family self-sufficient for at least three days. This should include:
- Batteries
- Battery-powered radio or television
- First-aid kit
- Flashlights
- Food
- Medicines
- Water
Visit the Get a Kit page for more information.
- In the event of a disaster and I have to evacuate my home, where do I go?
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You should go to any public school that can be used as a shelter. High schools are chosen first because of their available resources. Other criteria for opening a school for a shelter would include proximity to the event. Be sure to take items such as medications, blankets, clothes, and identification to the shelter.
Sign up for Chesterfield Alert for information about shelters before, during and after an emergency event.
- Why do we need out-of-town contacts in emergencies?
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During and after a disaster local infrastructure could become disrupted. Local phone lines may be inundated with calls, while long distance phone lines remain open. It may be easier to reach out-of-town contacts that have not been affected by the incident.
Make sure you keep a card with contact numbers and names with your kit, as well as in your cars. A pre-paid, long distance phone card may also be a good idea.
- How can I prepare my pets for emergencies?
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Like humans, pets will need food and other supplies in the event of an emergency. Make sure you have the following available:
- Bowls
- Food
- Leash and Crate
- Litter and a Box
- Prescriptions
- Toys
- Water
Make copies of all vaccinations and medical records as well.
- Are pets allowed in the shelters?
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Pets brought to emergency shelters are taken to the county’s animal shelter and will be cared for in an area separate from the daily animal population until it is safe for residents to take their pets home.
- What does it mean to “Shelter-In-Place?”
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You are to remain in your home or office (wherever you are at the time of the emergency) and protect yourself there. You should also do the following:
- If there is a threat of contaminated outside air, seal doors, windows and vents and turn off all fans and heating and air-conditioning units.
- Go to an interior room.
- Listen or watch local radio and television stations to stay updated on the latest information.
- Where can I find updated County specific information during a disaster?
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Libraries will be utilized as information stations during a disaster. Additional county-specific disaster information will be posted to the county website. Chesterfield County is also on Facebook. “Like” our page and you will receive county-specific information there as well.
- What is an Emergency Operations Center (EOC)?
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The Emergency Operations Center is where the Emergency Management Coordinator and other key individuals meet during a disaster. With a central location, all individuals involved in making decisions reference the response and recovery from a particular incident coordinate their efforts.
- Does Chesterfield County have an emergency operations plan?
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Yes, the county has an emergency operations plan (PDF). State Law requires that it be updated annually and readopted every 4 years.
- How can I help my community during a disaster?
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In the event that an emergency happens in Chesterfield County, volunteer organizations will likely be deployed to assist citizens and help with the recovery process. To get involved and volunteer:
- Chesterfield County’s Community Emergency Response Team , or CERT, program is based on the American tradition of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Prepare for Emergencies.”
- CERT training prepares citizens and communities to take more active roles in the county’s emergency-preparedness efforts.
- Contact your local American Red Cross, Medical Reserve Corps, or other volunteer organization.
- Chesterfield County’s Community Emergency Response Team , or CERT, program is based on the American tradition of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Prepare for Emergencies.”
- Who do I contact if my elderly mother who is on oxygen loses power for an extended period of time?
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The first choice would be to have a family member or caregiver take your relative someplace that will support his or her needs. After a disaster, libraries or other county facilities may be opened to allow for recharging the batteries in medical equipment. If someone is experiencing a medical problem due to the loss of power, he or she should call 911.
- Where do local facilities send copies of their annual Tier II reports?
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Facilities covered by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requirements must submit an Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Form (Tier II) to the following:
- Local Emergency Planning Committee
- Local Fire Department Annually
- State Emergency Response Commission
Facilities located in Chesterfield County submit Tier II reports to:
Fire and Emergency Medical Service
6731 Mimms Loop
Chesterfield, VA 23832 - Who should I contact for more information about emergency preparedness?
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You can call the Emergency Management Coordinator at 804-796-7068.
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Jessica Robison
Emergency Management Coordinator
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Darshan Parikh
Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator
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Chris Clark
Emergency Management Planner
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Emergency Management
Phone: : 804-748-1360
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Jessica Robison
Emergency Management Coordinator
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Darshan Parikh
Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator
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Chris Clark
Emergency Management Planner