Welcome to the Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM), which coordinates the City's processes of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from man-made and natural disasters, is based in the Alexandria Fire Department. Our Office maintains the City's Emergency Operations Center, which is used by City officials and related agencies to provide a coordinated response to major emergencies and disasters. OEM maintains the City's Emergency Operations Plan, which identifies the responsibilities of all local departments and agencies.  OEM staff members serve as the City's liaisons with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as staff support to Alexandria's Local Emergency Planning Committee. 

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Virginia's Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is May 25-31

Before tropical storms arrive, you can get ready and save money, too. Shop during Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, May 25-31, and you won’t pay sales tax on supplies for protecting your home and business.  Click here to see a list of supplies that qualify.

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 Build a Kit, Make a Plan, and Stay Informed

These are the three most important steps you can take to prepare you and your family members for any emergency. 

Building a Kit

• FEMA/Ready.Gov Build a Kit
• VDEM Get a Kit

Making a Plan

• ReadyNOVA Family and Business Preparedness Planners
• FEMA/Ready.Gov Make a Plan
• VDEM Make a Plan
• Pet Emergency Preparedness Plan Brochure 
• Northern Virginia Regional Commission Emergency Preparedness Guide

Staying informed

• eNews Alert Messages
  The City's eNews service lets you sign up to receive vital emergency alerts and information on more than 100 topics. Alerts and messages can be sent directly to your e-mail account, cell phone, or pager. Don't miss out on important news and emergency alerts. Sign up for eNews today!
• City Weather Emergency Web Page:
  For the latest information on a specific weather-related emergency situation, please visit http://alexandriava.gov/Storm.
• Twitter & Facebook
  Follow the City of Alexandria on Twitter or become a fan of the City's Facebook page to get timely information about City events, emergencies, programs, services, and more.
• National Capital Region Updates
• Alexandria Weather
• Wireless Emergency Alerts
  Find out what they are and when you might receive them.

For information about preparing for specific emergencies, visit http://alexandriava.gov/Emergency.

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Get Involved

Learn how you can become a trained volunteer and help respond during an emergency. Volunteers are needed to assist with medical response, public safety, emergency planning, and disaster readiness in the community.

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training provide citizens with a mechanism to increase neighborhood disaster readiness and support first responders during emergencies and disasters. Training is provided in how to assess damage after a disaster, extinguish small fires, perform light search and rescue, triage and provide first aid, and provide much needed assistance in times of crisis. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders by providing immediate assistance to victims and organizing spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also participate in non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.
  
• Alexandria Medical Reserve Corp is a group of volunteers that includes individuals with medical training and experience as well as individuals from a wide range of non-medical backgrounds. The MRC's local mission is to strengthen the health emergency preparedness and response of the people in Alexandria, and to develop a Corps of medical and non-medical volunteers to respond as needed to such emergencies. MRC volunteer activities range from community preparedness to assisting in a variety of settings if a natural or terrorist-caused health emergency occurs.
  
• Volunteers in Police Service program allows citizens who wish to donate their time and talents to the Police department to assist with administrative and operations support duties, thus allowing officers to spend more time on law enforcement and crime prevention activities.
  
• Volunteer Alexandria  is for a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities in Alexandria, and for assistance in fulfilling court-mandated community service requirements
  
• The Alexandria Neighborhood Watch Program, operated by the Alexandria Police Department, assists any group wishing to organize a Neighborhood Watch Program by attending the initial meetings and explaining how the program works. Pamphlets and handouts are provided explaining the program. When 70% of the area completes the requirements of having a security survey and marking property for identification (see Operation ID), Crime

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Local and Regional Plans

• The City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is the framework by which the City coordinates response to major emergencies and disasters. It outlines the responsibilities of all local agencies and establishes a chain of command.
• The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Emergency Coordination Plan (RECP) provides a structure where the NCR can collaborate on planning, communication, information sharing and coordination activities before, during, and after a regional emergency.
• The Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan addresses hazards and risks facing Northern Virginia jurisdictions, including the City of Alexandria, as well as planned hazard mitigation actions.

• Be Ready Alexandria! - Citizen Corps Council
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 Update