| 12 | 20 | | |
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| 13 | 21 | | |
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| 14 | 22 | | |
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| 15 | 23 | | WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has established a state program of emergency management and requires localities to have emergency management programs to address the array of threats and hazards to which the people of the Commonwealth are vulnerable; and |
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| 16 | 24 | | |
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| 17 | 25 | | WHEREAS, emergency management protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters; and |
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| 18 | 26 | | |
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| 19 | 27 | | WHEREAS, emergency management professionals play an under-recognized yet indispensable role in providing the leadership, management, and operational skills necessary to enable their communities, organizations, and agencies to develop emergency plans and procedures; ensure personnel are adequately trained to exercise plans and provide emergency warnings, notifications, and alerts; and acquire resources to protect lives and property and enhance resiliency to emergency events; and |
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| 20 | 28 | | |
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| 21 | 29 | | WHEREAS, emergency management professionals direct or support emergency operations, maintain dedicated emergency operations centers in 24/7 readiness, and actively serve operationally throughout the cycle of emergency events; and |
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| 22 | 30 | | |
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| 23 | 31 | | WHEREAS, emergency management professionals communicate and coordinate with a broad network of partners at the federal, state, regional, and local levels of government, in the private sector, and at nongovernmental organizations and with the general public; and |
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| 24 | 32 | | |
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| 25 | 33 | | WHEREAS, emergency management professionals possess extensive knowledge of the hazards and risks that threaten the Commonwealth and its communities, the specific programs and strategies available to address them, applicable federal, state, and local laws and compliance guidelines, and the roles of critical partners essential to effective preparedness, response, and disaster recovery; and |
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| 26 | 34 | | |
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| 27 | 35 | | WHEREAS, emergency management professionals assist allied professionals in the medical community and in emergency response, business, nonprofit, and faith organizations to achieve preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities; and |
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| 28 | 36 | | |
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| 29 | 37 | | WHEREAS, a well-prepared and resilient community is the ultimate goal of emergency management; and |
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| 30 | 38 | | |
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| 31 | 39 | | WHEREAS, emergency management professionals serve as the critical link between government and those they serve; public outreach and public education undergird the effectiveness of all emergency management efforts; and |
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| 32 | 40 | | |
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| 33 | 41 | | WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is proud to honor the service and commitment of its emergency management professionals and recognize their contributions to the lives, health, and safety of all who live, visit, and do business in the Commonwealth; and |
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| 34 | 42 | | |
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| 35 | 43 | | WHEREAS, the General Assembly previously designated the third week of March as Emergency Management Professionals Week, but the first week of June, which is typically the beginning of hurricane season, presents a better opportunity for all Virginians to learn more about the importance of emergency management and seek ways to help strengthen their communities by preparing for natural disasters and other catastrophic events; now, therefore, be it |
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| 36 | 44 | | |
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| 37 | 45 | | RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate the first full week of June, in 2025 and in each succeeding year, as Emergency Management Professionals Week in Virginia; and, be it |
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| 38 | 46 | | |
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| 39 | 47 | | RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Emergency Management Association so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it |
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| 40 | 48 | | |
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| 41 | 49 | | RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates change the designation of this week on the General Assembly's website. |
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