Executive Order 60 (2007)

Promulgation of the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan

By virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia as Governor and as Director of Emergency Management, I hereby promulgate and issue the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (“the Plan”) dated 2007.  The Plan provides for state government’s response to emergencies and disasters wherein assistance is needed by affected local governments in order to save lives; to protect public health, safety, and property; to restore essential services; and to enable and assist with economic recovery.
 
The Plan is consistent with the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Services and Disaster Law of 2000 (Chapter 3.2, Title 44 of the Code of Virginia, as amended), the National Incident Management System as implemented in the National Response Plan adopted December 2004, and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, as amended) with its implementing regulations.

The State Coordinator of Emergency Management, on behalf of the Governor, is hereby authorized to activate the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Center (“Virginia EOC”) in order to direct and control state government emergency operations.  Augmentation of the Virginia EOC shall constitute implementation of the Plan.

Furthermore, the State Coordinator of Emergency Management is hereby authorized, in coordination with the Governor’s Office, to amend the Plan as necessary in order to achieve the Preparedness Goals and Initiatives of the Nation and this Commonwealth and in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Services and Disaster Law of 2000 (Chapter 3.2, Title 44 of the Code of Virginia, as amended).

In accordance with the duties and responsibilities assigned in the Plan, the head of each designated state department or agency shall appoint a lead and at least one alternate Emergency Coordination Officer for the agency.  The Emergency Coordination Officer is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Coordinate with the Department of Emergency Management on emergency preparedness, response, and recovery issues;
    
2. Prepare and maintain designated parts of the Plan for which the agency is responsible;
    
3. Prepare and maintain internal plans and procedures to fulfill the responsibilities designated in the Plan;
    
4. Maintain a roster of agency personnel to assist in disaster operations and ensure that persons on the roster are accessible and available for training, exercises, and activations of the Plan;
    
5. Coordinate appropriate training for agency personnel assigned to disaster operations;
    
6. Prepare and maintain internal emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans for the agency’s resources (facilities, personnel, and assets) that outline a comprehensive and effective program to ensure continuity of essential state functions under all circumstances;
    
7. Assure the State Coordinator of Emergency Management that preparedness plans for its facilities are coordinated with the applicable local emergency management agency.
    

This Executive Order rescinds Executive Order Number Sixty Five (65) issued on April 1, 2004, by Governor Mark Warner and Executive Order Number Forty One (41) issued on May 17, 1999, by Governor James Gilmore.
 
This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order.
 
Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 21st day of December 2007.

 

/s/ Timothy M. Kaine, Governor

Attest:

/s/ Secretary of the Commonwealth