Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Agricultural Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities

1. Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Agricultural Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities Robert “Bobby” Grisso, P.E. Extension Engineer Biological Systems Engineering 540-231-6538 rgrisso@vt.edu VCE Emergency Preparedness

2. Emergency Preparedness In-serviceDay-1, NE/SE @ VSU • Emergency Response Coordinator – Grisso • Extension Agent Panel: • Mike Parrish, Sam Johnson, Watson Lawrence • Developing an emergency response team • Implementing ag damage assessment • Drafting resolutions and summary statements • Programs & tax implications – Mike Roberts • VDEM – Curt Nellis VCE Emergency Preparedness

3. Emergency Preparedness In-serviceDay-2, Central @ Appomattox • Emergency Response Coordinator – Grisso • Extension Agent Panel: • Bob Jones, Billy Seay, J.B. Daniel • Developing an emergency response team • Implementing ag damage assessment • Drafting resolutions and summary statements • Programs & tax implications – Eric Eberly • VDEM – Mike Cocker VCE Emergency Preparedness

4. Emergency Preparedness In-serviceDay-3, SW @ Abingdon • Emergency Response Coordinator – Grisso • Extension Agent Panel: • Phil Blevins, Walter Robinson, Harold Jerrell • Developing an emergency response team • Implementing ag damage assessment • Drafting resolutions and summary statements • Programs & tax implications – Daniel Osborne • VDEM – Jack Rowell VCE Emergency Preparedness

5. Emergency Preparedness In-serviceDay-4, NW/Northern @ Front Royal • Emergency Response Coordinator – Grisso • Extension Agent Panel: • Brad Javis, Rodney Leech, Corey Childs • Developing an emergency response team • Implementing ag damage assessment • Drafting resolutions and summary statements • Programs & tax implications - Gordon Groover • VDEM – Bruce Sterling VCE Emergency Preparedness

6. Emergency Preparedness is Vital to Virginia’s Agriculture • Cooperative Extension is required to: • Inform local governing bodies of agricultural conditions • Work with the local Food and Agriculture Council to assess and report agricultural damages • Provide information to farmers and government officials in the event of a radiation accident

16. Emergency Preparedness is Vital to Virginia’s Agriculture • Cooperative Extension is required to: • Inform local governing bodies of agricultural conditions • Work with the local Food and Agriculture Council to assess and report agricultural damages • Provide information to farmers and government officials in the event of a radiation accident

19. EMERGENCIES TAKE PRIORITY OVER OTHER WORK RESPONSIBILITIES !

20. Local governmental jurisdictions have different needs and capabilities • You may be asked, by your local jurisdiction, to provide services beyond the three specific responsibilities outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding with VDEM. If this is the situation, work with your District Director and local government officials to agree upon the specific VCE emergency preparedness responsibilities to be conducted in your unit.

21. Reasons for Initial Agricultural Damage Assessment • Local government needs IDA • Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) needs IDA • The Governor needs IDA • The Office of Homeland Security (FEMA) requires IDA

22. When do you assess damages? • You need to know how bad the situation is • If it’s bad you’re doing what you are required to do • If it’s not bad, it’s good practice for the real thing • Cumulative effects from multiple events may lead to a disaster declaration at a later date

23. What Damages to Assess in Agriculture? • Crops • Livestock • Farm homes, barns and other buildings • Fencing • Machinery

24. Assess Agricultural Damages • Value of homes, barns and other buildings (assistance from realtors and other experts) • Value of crops (% of damage, current market values) • Livestock (current market values) • Fencing (replacement value per linear foot) • Stored feeds (replacement value)

25. Elements needed in an Emergency • Understanding of responsibilities • Organization • Resources • Knowledge • Contacts

26. Understanding of Responsibilities • Local government has overall responsibility for emergency preparedness • Cooperative Extension has responsibility for agricultural damage assessment and informing local government of deteriorating agricultural conditions (drought) • Local Emergency Services Coordinator faxes all reports to VDEM

27. Organization • Local Emergency Operations Plan determines which agencies are responsible for specific emergency preparedness activities • Local Emergency Services Coordinator has a copy of this plan

28. Resources • Damage Assessment Teams should be in place prior to an emergency • Initial Damage Assessment Teams may consist of: • farmers • contractors • realtors • property & tax assessors • insurance agents (they generally know what is and isn’t insured)

29. Agricultural Damage Assessment-Players • Get to know other members of the local Food and Agriculture Council (FAC) • The FAC is made up of: • VCE, FSA, NRCS, RD, DOF, NFS, NASS, VDGIF, APHIS, VDACS, VDEM

30. Internet Sources of Information • VCE Intranet http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/index2.html • FEMA www.fema.gov/ • Virginia Department of Emergency Management www.vdem.state.va.us/ • Extension Disaster Education Network www.agctr.lsu.edu/eden/ • Various weather sites on the internet