Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management is based in the Alexandria Fire Department and provides emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery services to the residents and businesses of the City of Alexandria.
Page updated on September 29, 2022 at 4:56 PM
Office of Emergency Management staff

Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEM) serves the entire City of Alexandria and works with various city, regional, and national agencies to be fully successful in carrying out its mission.  OEM is commanded by Acting Emergency Management Coordinator Ray Whatley.

NEW: City Council Adopts “ResilientALX” Charter

On January 26, 2021, the Alexandria City Council unanimously adopted the ResilientALX Charter, which provides a vision for enhancing the City's Strategic Plan goal of creating a safe and resilient community. It also establishes a comprehensive approach to understanding areas of risk and developing a sound strategy for preparation and mitigation.

OEM's Mission

To save lives, protect property and speed recovery from major emergencies by developing city-wide programs and emergency operational capabilities that prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any emergency regardless of cause—whether in peacetime or a situation of national security.  This is accomplished with the full support of the elected and appointed officials of the city, and requires the active participation of a range of participants from all departments and agencies of government, citizens, and the private and non-profit sectors to be fully successful.

Volunteer Alexandria

Volunteer Alexandria

Volunteer Alexandria, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, is your Community Resource for Volunteerism. Since its founding in 1980, Volunteer Alexandria has served as a link between individual and group volunteers and area nonprofit organizations and City agencies in need of support.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

VDEM

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management's five mission areas are prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Swift Water Rescue in Old Town during flooding event

Flooding

Alexandria’s low elevation and its proximity to the Potomac River make it susceptible to flooding. Use the information below to prepare yourself for flooding.

Emergency Operations Center

  

Alexandria's Emergency Operations Center

Alexandria's new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened in January 2019 with its official open house event held in June 2019. It's first activation was the first week of the 2019 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) shutdown. The purpose of the EOC is to provide a space where representatives from multiple agencies can work together to provide resources during various types of emergency incidents, such as snowstorms, power outages, major fire incidents, and planned events.

The new EOC, which is managed by the City’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, is in a secured building along with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office at 2003 Mill Rd. The 8,750 square foot, state-of-the-art facility has 47 workstations, seven individual offices for OEM staff, state-of-the-art technology, and a conference room, with additional conference space and technological capabilities in the Sheriff’s Office. The facility is on a newly-renovated floor in the building of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office administrative work space. The new EOC is designed not only for use during emergency situations, but also for training purposes. To prepare for expanding incidents that affect Alexandria and the region, the City is making the new EOC available for use by local and regional emergency managers, first responders, and other preparedness partners in the community.

Emergency Preparedness Contact Number: 703.746.5200 (press "2," then "4")
In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

City of Alexandria

Emergency Operations Center

2003 Mill Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22314

703-746-6105 OR 703-746-5266

Heat Safety

As we begin to have hot temperatures and high heat index values, keep these safety tips in mind. Stay indoors as much as possible & stay hydrated.
Learn more

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team program trains community members to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in Alexandria.
Learn more about CERT

Alexandria Citizen Corps Council (CCC)

The Alexandria Citizen Corps Council was established in 2005 to advise and support City Council to help Alexandria minimize the impact of disasters.
More about CCC

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

LEPC reviews and advises on the City's emergency plans, including those aimed at addressing extremely hazardous substances (EHSs).
More about LEPC

Emergency Operations Plan

The City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan  (EOP) is a multi-discipline, all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of major emergencies and disasters within the city. The EOP is implemented when it becomes necessary to mobilize identified resources in order to save lives and protect property and infrastructure.  The EOP establishes the overall roles and responsibilities for emergency operations, as well as the concept of operations for the city. It is used in conjunction with established operational procedures, plans and protocols. The development and maintenance of this plan and supporting plans is the basis of the local emergency management program. 

OEM also aligns its plans with several external plans including:

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Emergency Coordination Plan (RECP) provides a structure where the NCR can collaborate on planning, communication, information sharing and coordination activities before, during, and after a regional emergency.

The Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan addresses hazards and risks facing Northern Virginia jurisdictions, including the City of Alexandria, as well as planned hazard mitigation actions.