City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: COREY SMEDLEY, FIRE CHIEF
DOCKET TITLE:
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Citizen Corps Council ResilientALX Final Report Briefing to City Council.
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ISSUE: Receipt of Citizen Corps Council ResilientALX Report.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive the ResilientALX Report and consider the recommendations to improve resilience in Alexandria.
BACKGROUND: On November 12, 2019, Alexandria City Council unanimously passed a motion asking the Alexandria Citizen Corps Council (CCC) to propose updates to the Alexandria Strategic Plan in order to make a more Resilient Alexandria. While the Resilient ALX efforts were delayed due to COVID-19, the CCC conducted research as directed and submitted their findings via written report from the CCC Chair to the City Council on March 25, 2023.
DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATIONS: The ResilientALX Report, based on research and prepared by the Alexandria CCC, highlights recommendations to improve resilience in Alexandria. The recommendations reflect interviews conducted with City staff and observations. The three overarching recommendations are to:
1. Increase Emergency Training and Exercises
2. Invest in Emergency and Non-Emergency Communication Systems
3. Invest in Infrastructure to Mitigate Risks
The City is already actively implementing some of the recommendations, including more regular training and coordinating regionally on communication systems. Staff is also actively pursuing grant opportunities for specific infrastructure investments. The ResilientALX Report details each recommendation listed above and details specific interview summaries with each participating City Department. Recommendations will also be considered during future Strategic Plan updates.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact; however, implementation of specific resilience measures may result in fiscal impacts. Some recommendations may already be in progress, included in Department-specific strategic plans, or incorporated into budgets.
ATTACHMENT: Resilient ALX Report
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Patrick Moran, Chair, Citizen Corps Council
Kevin Coleman, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, OEM