Tag Archives: vdem

Andy Seabolt Receives Stanley Everett Crigger Humanitarian Award

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The 2025 Virginia Emergency Management Symposium (VEMS) took place from March 17-20 in Roanoke, VA. During the event, Andy Seabolt, Bath County’s Emergency Services Coordinator, was honored with the Stanley Everett Crigger Humanitarian Award. This award recognizes an emergency management professional who has demonstrated empathy, kindness, and compassion in their work. It is named in memory of Stan Crigger, who exemplified these qualities throughout his career and in his service to both his colleagues and community. We congratulate Andy on this award.

VEMS is an annual event co-sponsored by the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). It provides a platform for discussing current trends, sharing information about the latest tools and practices in emergency management, and exploring advancements in homeland security. The symposium encourages collaboration among stakeholders from all levels of government, the private sector, public health, and other related fields to protect lives and property from disasters. The next symposium is scheduled for March 16-19, 2026, in Norfolk, VA.

VDEM Leads Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Workshop for the Region

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On March 10th, representatives from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) led a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) workshop with local government staff, emergency response managers, floodplain managers, and various regional organizations, gathered to discuss the program, the role of the regional hazard mitigation plan, and eligible projects.

During the meeting, VDEM grant specialists raised awareness of Federal funds awarded to the State related to Hurricane Helene (FEMA-DR-VA-4831). They noted that 15% of these funds could be used for mitigation efforts through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Eligible projects include but are not limited to property acquisition and demolition, mitigation reconstruction, infrastructure protection, mitigation planning, and flood control.

While this opportunity is open statewide, priority will be given to declared localities, particularly in Southwest Virginia.