Virginia Office of Commonwealth Preparedness http://www.commonwealthpreparedness.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/rss/HomePageRSS.cfm Office of Commonwealth Preparedness - Latest News Releases (c) Office of Commonwealth Preparedness 2009 Commonwealth of Virginia <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Announces Funds for Interoperability Projects]]> October 20 — GovernorKaine announced that Virginia has allocated $5.16 million in State Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funds to interoperability projects in jurisdictions across the Commonwealth. $300,000 will be used to fund critically needed exercises at the local and state levels, and the remaining $4.86 million used to fund projects selected by the State Interoperability Executive Committee as most needed and cost effective. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1116 <![CDATA[$7 Million in Grants to Combat Terrorism in Virginia is Awarded ]]> September 11 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the award of more than $7 million in federal grants to support key terrorism prevention projects throughout Virginia. These funds will provide bomb squad equipment and training to enhance the ability of local police and fire departments to deter and respond to terrorist and criminal acts.

"These grants will provide Virginia's first responders with necessary equipment and tactical training to combat and prevent terrorist acts in the Commonwealth," stated Governor Kaine. "Protecting our citizens and communities is critical to Virginia's sustainability and growth in all facets of society."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1067 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Discusses Emergency Preparedness with National Capital Region Leaders]]> September 1 — "We've made great strides in the National Capital Region in both improving coordination and creating shared strategies to address potential security threats," said Governor Kaine.

"Together with our counterparts in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the Department of Homeland Security, we're building on the progress we've made in the last few years and taking the appropriate measures to keep our citizens safe and secure."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1053 <![CDATA[Statement of Governor Kaine on Terrorism Threat Assessment Report]]> April 28 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine issued the following statement today on the Fusion Center's recent Threat Assessment Report suggesting the heightened possibility of a connection between extremist groups and historically black or Christian universities:

"The Commonwealth is proud of its world-class institutions of higher learning. Virginia is especially proud to be home to a number of faith-based and historically black colleges and universities.

"The Virginia Fusion Center, which is responsible for integrating threat information from public and private sector agencies to prevent terrorists' attacks, issued a report that could be read to suggest a connection between terror or extremist groups and these universities. This report is required by law and was illegally distributed to the public. However, I find the depictions in the report misleading and believe it improperly implicates these fine academic institutions."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=933 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Kicks Off Next Phase of Stimulus.Virginia.Gov]]> March 12 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today launched an overhauled Stimulus.Virginia.Gov, transforming the state's original, pioneering website into Virginia's comprehensive online portal for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

With the conclusion of the project solicitation phase of the Commonwealth's program to implement the recovery plan, the website is transitioning to present a wide range of information related to the ARRA - including maps, graphs, charts, and downloadable tables that allow citizens to see where proposals have originated, where money is flowing, and what specific projects and geographies are benefiting from recovery plan funding. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=896 <![CDATA[Virginia's Response to Hurricane Ike]]> September 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that resources from the Commonwealth of Virginia have been dispatched to Louisiana and Texas in response to Hurricane Ike.

"Virginians remain committed to helping residents of the Gulf Coast recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ike." Governor Kaine said. "At the same time, we will be prepared to respond to any emergencies that may affect the Commonwealth." ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=779 <![CDATA[Virginia Responds to Hurricane Ike]]> September 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that resources from the Commonwealth of Virginia will be dispatched to Louisiana in response to the threat of Hurricane Ike.

Twenty-one Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries conservation police officers were scheduled to deploy Friday, September 12, to Jennings, Louisiana, west of Baton Rouge, to provide maritime law enforcement support in response to Hurricane Ike. Governor Kaine activated the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and authorization for the deployment. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=774 <![CDATA[State of Emergency Declared]]> September 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency today, directing state agencies to take all reasonable actions necessary to protect the health and safety of Virginians from the potentially damaging effects of Tropical Storm Hanna.

"Current forecasts predict Hanna will bring tropical storm force winds to Virginia, causing coastal flooding and the very real possibility of tornadoes and power outages," Governor Kaine said. "Virginians should listen to their local government representatives and local news media for instructions for the duration of the storm." ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=767 <![CDATA[Virginia's Ongoing Response to Hurricane Gustav]]> September 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that 13 Virginia National Guard members have been deployed to help respond to Hurricane Gustav. The Virginia National Guard has sent four personnel to National Guard Bureau to support planning operations and coordinate the nation-wide response effort, and nine Soldiers and Airmen to work in the Joint Emergency Operations Center in Louisiana.

"Virginia stands ready to assist," Governor Kaine said. "We will provide the Gulf states with resources as they are needed, and we also will ensure the Commonwealth is prepared at home for any future emergencies." ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=765 <![CDATA[Virginia Selects Homeland Security Projects to Fund]]> September 2008 — Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia has allocated $23.4 million in State Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGOP) funds to localities across the Commonwealth.

"These funds, provided by the Department of Homeland Security, help first responders purchase the state and local resources they need to prevent, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and natural disasters," Governor Kaine said. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=764