It is with immense pride and a profound sense of accomplishment that I address you today as the State Coordinator of Emergency Management.

Over the past year, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is my privilege to provide you with an overview of our accomplishments and the impactful services we have rendered to our great state in this year’s Annual Report.

VDEM has continued to strengthen our commitment to emergency preparedness and response through the implementation of a new agency strategic plan focused on people and culture, internal operations, policy and mandates, and customer impact. Our vision is to provide consistent excellence in delivery of innovative and effective emergency management support and coordination through industry leading practices, professionalism, and collaborative engagement for all stakeholders.

Our dedication to public safety and service is reflected in our unwavering commitment to training and education. The VDEM team has organized over 250 training sessions and workshops aimed at enhancing the preparedness of our local emergency managers, first responders, and volunteers. These efforts have culminated in the certification of emergency management professionals across the state, ensuring that Virginia is well-equipped with a skilled and competent workforce.

The achievements of VDEM extend to our support for disaster-impacted communities. Throughout the past year, we have been at the forefront of providing critical aid and resources to Virginians and our sister states affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. From severe flooding to the arrival of political prisoners and everything in between, we are ready to respond at a moment's notice.

We should take pride in our ability to facilitate a swift and effective response, mitigating the impact of these disasters on the lives and livelihoods of our fellow Virginians. In FY 23 VDEM processed over $200M in disaster and non-disaster grants to localities and state agencies.

In my second year as State Coordinator, the VDEM team has played key roles in the following events, some of which were record-breaking and historic.

Nicaraguan political prisoner release
Tornados
Severe flooding
Emergency Management Assistance Compact requests across the country including Kentucky, Hawaii, and Texas.
Tropical Storm Ophelia
Avian influenza outbreak
Numerous large-scale festivals and events in support of localities
State of the Union support
Daily hazardous materials and search and rescue missions

Collaborative efforts have improved coordination and communication during emergencies, enabling a more efficient response and recovery process. Our engagement with local and tribal governments has been instrumental in building a resilient Virginia, capable of withstanding a multitude of challenges.

I would also like to highlight our extensive public outreach and education initiatives. The VDEM has been relentless in its efforts to educate the public on the importance of disaster preparedness, resilience, and the significance of being a ready and resilient Virginia. Through our preparedness campaigns, and the work of our Partners in Preparedness program, we have reached thousands of Virginians, empowering them to take an active role in their own safety and that of their communities.

Our team works tirelessly to protect the Commonwealth from current and emerging threats. VDEM is diligently carrying out planning, preparedness, and mitigation efforts to protect against increasing threats by nation state actors attempting to destabilize our way of life by attacking our cybernetworks. As nation state actors become more sophisticated, tactics will become more complex. VDEM is planning for the future now because we know it’s not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

I am immensely proud of VDEM’s accomplishments over the past year. Our tireless efforts in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery have undoubtedly made the Commonwealth a best-in-class community to live, work, and thrive. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to further improving our services, expanding our partnerships, and ensuring the resilience of Virginia.

Shawn Talmadge
State Coordinator of Emergency Management