RD393 - Report on the Commonwealth Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (C-THIRA) - October 31, 2014


Executive Summary:
As this report is the first one provided on this topic, the key focuses were to: identify, list, and contextualize the primary threats to the Commonwealth; identify and define specific state-wide core capability measures in parallel with the National Preparedness Goals and FEMA-mandated THIRA process; where currently possible, identify present capability levels; where currently possible, estimate resources needed; where possible, provide a current assessment of the Commonwealth’s efforts and capacity to achieve the core capability targets; and to assist in providing a means to move forward in improving Virginia’s capacity to meet the identified needs and meet or improve upon identified measures of success.

Primary threats to the Commonwealth identified in this report include: hurricane, earthquake, wildfire, winter storm, dam failure, avian flu outbreak, pan-flu epidemic, a radiological event, and terrorism events. These threats were identified as relevant to Virginia using: historical occurrence, economic impact, social vulnerabilities, geographical location, health considerations, and critical infrastructure/key resources impacts. These threats were further validated by reviewing the existing work that the UASI regions and localities have done in identifying events of importance to them and by direct contact with state agencies.

Measurable core capability targets for the Commonwealth have been identified as part of the federal THIRA process. Based on available information taken from locality self-assessments, the single strongest critical mission area is response and the strongest core capability is planning. As identified by training requests made by localities, the core capability of operational coordination has been identified as the key area of need.

Current data sets indicate needs, but desired outcome measures for each locality need to be better identified and defined to determine what local, regional, and/or state resources and actions are required to address any shortfalls. Where the data sets or information is lacking, this is automatically an identified gap in the C-THIRA process.

This report recommends developing and implementing a standardized, iterative C-THIRA process, which includes the components of: outreach and education, data gathering and analysis, assisting localities, regions, and the state with identifying needs and shortfalls based on current capacity versus desired capacity using quantified and verifiable measures for success.