Mission Statement

Emergency Preparedness and Response serves as the central point of contact for all Public Safety Dispatch Communications, Emergency Management for all natural and man-made disasters, and provides oversignt for the City's Building Physical Security.

Department Overview

The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response is structured to provide three major services: Emergency Communications/911, Emergency Management and Building Physical Security.

1. The Norfolk Division of Emergency Communications/911 serves as the first point of response for Public Safety in the City of Norfolk. The Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is the city's consolidated 911 and dispatch center, manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
   • The ECC personnel respond to 911 and non-emergency calls. Responsibilities include dispatching all police and fire/rescue. ECC serves as the 24-hour point of contact for all multi-juristictional, state and federal notifications regarding public safety and emergency management. The department monitors federal and state legislation that affect 911 and dispatch procedures/protocols and funding. Personnel serve on various local and regional boards and committees. Additionally, they attend regional, state, and national meetings to remain on the leading edge of the ever-changing environment of public safety communications.
   • The Division of Emergency Communications records and safeguards all telephone communications in and out of the ECC, as well as all public safety radio communications
2. The Norfolk Division of Emergency Management (NDEM) provides services to the city and community to prepare an effective response to disasters. NDEM monitors federal and state legislation and potential grants that directly impact the provision of emergency services to the community. The department provides disaster planning and recovery assistance to city departments, coordinating terrorism response related activities and assisting in delivery of terrorism awareness to city employees. Additionally, on behalf of the City of Norfolk, NDEM coordinates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State Department of Emergency Management and surrounding local governments and military communities.
3. The Division of Building Physical Security provides oversight of the Top Guard Security contract and the security program for City departments and agencies. This program is designed to meet the City's everyday and emergency building security requirements.

Citizen information during emergencies

The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response ensures that citizens and employees are provided with awareness and emergency preparedness information in an effort to minimize the potential for loss of life and property. During a large-scale emergency, the Center activates communications channels to keep residents, workers and businesses posted about the emergency and any action people should take to minimize the impact of the storm or other emergency.Theseinformation channels include, but are not limited to:

• City website
• Citizen Automated Information Line, 664-7200
• Local media – television, newspapers and radio
• TV48, Norfolk's cable news network

Before, during, and immediately following a severe weather incident such as a hurricane, the EOC will provide residents with current information about delivery of services, closings, available shelters, road conditions, procedures for pickup of storm debris, opening of government assistance centers, and other information.

The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response
3661 East Virginia Beach Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23502
757 441-5600