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Virginia Government | Additional Preparedness Resources | Interoperability | Nonprofit Resources
Virginia Government 
The Virginia Emergency Response Team is composed of representatives from numerous state agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses who work as a team to serve Virginians during emergencies. The seventeen state agencies who participate in the VERT include:
- Emergency Management (VDEM - Lead VERT Agency)
- Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS)
- Attorney General (OAG)
- Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
- Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
- Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Fire Programs (DFP)
- Forestry (DOF)
- General Services (DGS)
- Health (VDH)
- Military Affairs (DMA)
- Mines, Minerals, & Energy (DMME)
- Planning & Budget (DPB)
- Social Services (DSS)
- State Corporation Commission (SCC)
- State Police (VSP)
- Transportation (VDOT)
Additional Preparedness Links of Interest
- Virginia Performs – Emergency Preparedness
- Virginia Higher Education Preparedness Consortium
- Department of Homeland Security
- Homeland Security NRF Resource Center
- Virginia’s Planning District Commissions
- Pandemic Flu – Federal site
– State site - All Hazards Consortium
- Federal preparedness resources at ready.gov
- VA Terrorism Tip Hotline – 1-877-4VA-TIPS
Interoperability
Solutions Information
Organizations that provide interoperability solutions support and education:
Grants Information
- Department of Homeland Security Grants
- National Institute of Justice
- Office of Domestic Preparedness
- Community Oriented Policing Services
- Access to Federal Grant Opportunities
Communications Spectrum
Federal agencies that manage the commercial and public communications spectrum:
Technology and Standards Information
Standards bodies working to promote interoperable communications technology:
- Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc.
- Capital Wireless Integrated Network (CapWIN)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- International Telecommunication Union
- National Institute of Justice's (NIJ) Technology Programs
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Project 25
- Project Mobility for Emergency and Safety Applications (MESA)
- Telecommunications Industry Association
Interoperability in Other States
- Idaho SIEC
- Maryland SIEC
- Nevada Communications Steering Committee (SIEC)
- Montana SIEC
- Oregon SIEC
- Texas SIEC
- Washington SIEC
- Wisconsin SIEC
SAFECOM Federal Partners
Federal departments working towards interoperable communications:
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Justice
- Department of Defense
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Energy
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of the Treasury
State Partners
- Virginia STARS
- Virginia Secretary of Public Safety
- Office of Commonwealth Preparedness
- Virginia Department of Emergency Management
- Virginia Department of Health
- Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services
- Virginia Department of Fire Programs
- Virginia State Police
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
- Virginia Department of Forestry
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
- Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Virginia National Guard
- Virginia Office of the Secretary of Technology
- Virginia Port Authority
- Virginia State Firefighters Association
Local Public Safety Organizations
- Virginia Fire Chiefs Association
- Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Association
- Virginia Association of Governmental EMS Administrators
- Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
- Virginia Sheriff's Association
- Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
- Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority
- Virginia Association of Counties
- Virginia Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
- Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads
- Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association
- Virginia Information Technologies Agency
- Virginia Municipal League
- Virginia Wireless E-911 Services Board
Federal Interoperability General Information
- GAO Report on interoperable communications (PDF)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) training
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- SEARCH
Miscellaneous Sites of Interest
- DisasterHelp.gov - An offshoot site of the Dep't of Homeland Security, with a focus on disaster response
- Virginia RACES - Amateur radio operatives dedicated to interoperable communications in Virginia
- Virginia RACES - Hospital Disaster Response Teams
Non Profit Organization Links
- American Institute of Architects: Building Security Through Design
- American Red Cross
- America's Second Harvest
- Institute for Business & Home Safety
- National Association of Town Watch
- National Crime Prevention Council
- National Fire Protection Association
- National Organization on Disability
- Prepare Hampton Roads
- Public Entity Risk Institute
- Salvation Army
- United Way
- USAonwatch
- Virginia Association of Counties & Cities
- Virginia Association of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists
- Virginia Blood Services
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- Virginia Crime Prevention Association
- Virginia Municipal League
- Virginia Public Safety Foundation