Governor Spanberger Signs Executive Order to Modernize Emergency Preparedness, Prioritize Virginians’ Safety

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today issued Executive Order 19 initiating a comprehensive modernization of Virginia's emergency preparedness systems and establishing a Unified Readiness Framework as the Commonwealth's new statewide governance model for preparedness, homeland security, emergency management, and resilience.

Under this new framework, Virginia will integrate strategic planning capabilities, real-time decision-making, and interagency partnerships across state government, local first responders, private sector entities, non-profit organizations, and critical infrastructure sectors to strengthen the Commonwealth against current and emerging threats.

"Keeping all Virginians safe requires a modern, seamless, and proactive preparedness system," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "The Unified Readiness Framework breaks down operational silos and builds a stronger, more resilient Commonwealth. By bringing together our first responders, state agencies, businesses, and community partners, we are ensuring Virginia is fully equipped to anticipate, respond to, and recover from any threat."

The issuance of this Executive Order addresses a critical need for coordination identified across the Commonwealth this spring through seven Regional Readiness Summits hosted by the Spanberger Administration. These summits convened more than 750 key preparedness stakeholders from every corner of the state to strengthen collaboration, improve mutual aid, identify gaps, and enhance information sharing.

The Unified Readiness Framework established by this Executive Order strengthens capabilities across the following areas:

• Operational Readiness: Enhancing emergency communications, operations planning, and interoperability
• Workforce Readiness: Strengthening retention, training, and leadership development for first responders and emergency personnel
• Infrastructure & Technology Readiness: Ensuring critical infrastructure protection, digital security, and continuity of government
• Community Readiness: Promoting community partnerships, public information, and volunteer and non-profit integration
• Risk & Security: Prioritizing threat identification, intelligence integration, and coordination.

By embedding these priorities into state governance, the Unified Readiness Framework establishes clear lines of communication, shared strategic objectives, and synchronized resource allocation across all levels of government and community leadership.

Click here to read the full text of Governor Spanberger's Executive Order 19.

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