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TextCounty Government and Community Partners Share Lessons Learned
Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
Feb. 17, 2004
County Government and Community Partners Share Lessons Learned
In the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel, Fairfax County government has been
bringing together county agencies and community partners to review and
evaluate the response and recovery actions. While the storm struck and
then left the county relatively quickly, the cleanup and recovery efforts
have been lengthy and complex. Being able to analyze an emergency event
to identify what went well and what can be improved is generally one of
the most valuable outcomes from a natural disaster.
Fairfax County has twice brought together representatives from more than
35 organizations to share their lessons learned about their response and
recovery actions. Following a public session held on Dec. 1, 2003, the
group continued the discussion today. During these meetings
representatives from transportation systems, cable companies and water,
power and telephone utilities have talked openly and honestly with county
staff to outline specific plans for corrective actions and discuss
recommendations for future improvements.
Some examples of how this process is working are:
- Fairfax County and Dominion are discussing a GIS project that will facilitate customer service and information sharing to respond to future events.
- Fairfax County, the Virginia State Police and VDOT have partnered to design and build a regional complex that will co-locate vital public safety, emergency management, traffic management and communication services on the grounds of the former Camp 30 property in Fairfax.
- Fairfax County is forming a Critical Infrastructure and Utility Task Force to develop recommendations for deficiencies identified in the Hurricane Isabel after-action report.
These collaborative discussions are providing the framework for a plan
to strengthen processes, communication and coordination between and among
numerous county agencies and community partners. According to Fairfax
County Executive Anthony H. Griffin, “these meetings are building
relationships critical to our future success in responding to emergency
events.�
A final after-action report on Hurricane Isabel will be available by
late March.
FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS.
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