Virginia Governor Spanberger issues order to modernize emergency preparedness

Governor Abigail Spanberger has issued Executive Order 19 to modernize Virginia’s emergency preparedness systems. The order establishes the Unified Readiness Framework, a new statewide governance model designed to oversee preparedness, homeland security, emergency management, and resilience.

The framework aims to integrate strategic planning, real-time decision-making, and interagency partnerships involving state government, local first responders, the private sector, non-profit organizations, and critical infrastructure sectors. This initiative follows seven Regional Readiness Summits hosted by the administration, which involved over 750 stakeholders to identify coordination gaps and improve mutual aid.

Key areas of focus under the new framework include operational readiness through enhanced communications, workforce readiness via training and leadership development, and infrastructure and technology readiness to ensure digital security and continuity of government.