§ 2.2-305. Duties of the Office.
It shall be the responsibility of the Office, through the Assistant to the Governor, to:
1. Provide oversight, coordination, and review of all disaster, emergency management, and terrorism management plans for the state and its agencies.
2. Work with federal officials to obtain additional federal resources and coordinate policy development and information exchange.
3. Coordinate working relationships between state agencies and the Governor's Cabinet.
4. Serve as the point of contact with the federal Department of Homeland Security.
5. Serve as the Governor's representative on regional efforts to develop a coordinated security and preparedness strategy, including the National Capitol Region security group organized as part of the federal Urban Areas Security Initiative.
6. Serve as a direct liaison between the Governor and local governments and first responders on issues of emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
7. Educate the public on homeland security and overall preparedness issues.
8. Serve as chairman of the Secure Commonwealth Panel.
9. Encourage public safety volunteer efforts throughout the state.
10. Serve as vice-chairman of the Virginia Military Advisory Council to establish a working relationship with Virginia's active duty military bases.
11. Coordinate the development of a formula for allocation of State Homeland Security Program funds to localities and state agencies in compliance with federal grant guidance and constraints and which formula shall be, to the extent permissible under federal constraints, based on actual risk and threat.
12. Establish regional working groups to meet regularly and focus on regional initiatives in training, equipment, and strategy to ensure ready access to response teams in times of emergency and facilitate testing and training exercises for emergencies and mass casualty preparedness.
13. Provide oversight and review of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's annual statewide assessment of local and regional capabilities, including equipment, training, personnel, response times, and other factors.
14. Do all acts necessary to ensure that available federal and state resources are directed toward safeguarding Virginia and its citizens.
(2006, cc. 860, 901.)
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