News Flash

Sept. 19, 2016 - Hampton’s Office of Emergency Management has received a $30,000 grant from the state of Virginia that will be used for training and alert systems in the city.

“This federal emergency management grant funding will help localities better prepare our citizens and make Virginia communities more resilient,” said Jeffrey Stern, state coordinator of emergency management. “We will continue to explore innovative ways to invest in the Commonwealth’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from an emergency or disaster.”

Hui-Shan Walker, Hampton’s Emergency Management coordinator, said the money will be used for a city staff and citizen alert system; a series of exercises designed to test the city’s ability to open and operate multiple shelters at the same time; and a training program designed to teach people in city businesses, departments and non-profit agencies what to do if there is an active shooter in the workplace.

Statewide, 29 localities in Virginia requested funding for 37 projects. Virginia Emergency Management approved awarding nearly $420,000 to 19 localities for emergency shelter equipment, active shooter equipment, emergency warning systems and similar programs.