[Archived] Northern Virginia Local Governments Issue Pre-Emptive Emergency Declarations

Northern Virginia Regional Commission
NEWS RELEASE
January 15, 2009, 5:10 p.m.
In Preparation for Inauguration 

Consistent with the actions of Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine regarding preparations for th e presidential inauguration, the Northern Virginia local governments agreed today that each will declare a state of local emergency effective Jan. 17-21, 2009. The declarations will allow these governments to more easily get the resources needed to respond and recover from any potential emergencies related to the 56^th presidential inauguration.

This action will allow the jurisdictions to be eligible for reimbursement for expenses of the presidential inauguration, which will bring an extraordinary number of people through Northern Virginia.

These unique circumstances, which have already resulted in an unprecedented requirement for inter-agency and inter-governmental coordination, warrant coordinated local government action to prevent or alleviate the threat of injury and harm to the public and damage or loss of property.  Northern Virginia local governments have a long history of working cooperatively to prepare for disasters collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries, bringing together elected officials, chief administrative officers, emergency management, law enforcement, fire and public health personnel.

Northern Virginia encompasses the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford.

For more information, contact Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs, Fairfax County, at 703-324-3189.