HD5 - Review of Disaster Preparedness Planning and Coordination


    Executive Summary:
    House Joint Resolution 132 of the 2012 Session directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the ongoing planning and preparedness efforts throughout the Commonwealth with regard to homeland security and emergency management. The study will include issues such as the organization and management of homeland security within the Office of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security; the coordination of preparedness planning between the State and federal, local, and private entities; the extent to which State and local plans guide federal grant funding requests and awards; the identification and application process for federal grants, including efforts to regionalize grant requests to align with regional solutions and coordination; oversight of federal grants by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management; information technology solutions with the potential to enhance preparedness efforts in the Commonwealth; and opportunities to improve State and local disaster planning and coordination.

    JLARC staff plan to complete the review of disaster preparedness planning and coordination and present the study findings to the Commission in the fall of 2013. A report of the Commission's findings will be submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor, and an executive summary and the report will be submitted to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems, in the fall of 2013.