By ALIX HINES
Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Bob McDonnell, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, released an emergency preparedness app for Virginians to use during disasters. The free application for iPhone and Android phones is called Ready Virginia. But it’s unclear if the app is really “ready” and useful for Virginians.
“This new app is one of the most important ones Virginians can install on their mobile devices. Now our citizens can get ‘mobile ready’ and ensure that their families are prepared for emergencies and stay informed with official disaster information when an emergency occurs,” McDonnell said in a press release about the app.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management designed the app so Virginians can stay up to date about weather alerts and other emergencies. It includes maps of evacuation routes, a list of hurricane storm surge zones and gauges, contact information for local emergency managers and links to register for alerts during an emergency.
Although the app at first glance seems comprehensive, many of the categories are filled with fairly self-explanatory information. For example, under the “checklist” category, there is a list of items needed during emergencies, such as a first-aid kit, batteries, flashlights, water and other obvious items.
The “my plan” category allows users to make a list of emergency contacts, medications, work information, school information, neighborhood meeting places, out-of-town meeting places and pets in case of an emergency. Although these are all useful issues to consider when planning ahead in case of an emergency, the app itself doesn’t seem so useful.
The Ready Virginia app allows users to sign up for local alerts. But when I went to register for alerts through the city of Richmond, I found that Richmond does not have a Web-based alert system.
The “maps” category is the most useful part of the app. Under “maps” users can select a map for evacuation routes, open shelters and storm surges in different portions of Virginia. In an emergency, this could save lives because evacuation routes can be easily accessed.
The live Twitter feed from @VDEM is also useful for any breaking news or weather reports.
Overall, I’d say Ready Virginia needs work before it’s “ready” for a five-star rating from me.
Recent Stories
Stafford County won three National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Achievement Awards. The NACo Awards recognize outstanding government programs and services. Stafford won two awards in the Human Services category and one in the Civic Education and Public Information category.
On Friday, June 14, Manassas leaders hosted a delegation of Chinese officials and business leaders from the City of Quianjiang in Hubei province. The Manassas Department of Economic Development organized…
We rely on community support to continue bringing you local news.
The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 57th Session graduated on June 21, 2024, at Gainesville High School. The class consisted of nine Prince William County Police officers and two Prince William County Sheriff’s deputies. They completed a 24-week training course covering firearms, use-of-force decision-making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation, and crash investigation.
On June 22, 2024, the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Ball, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter, seated in Prince William County, VA, awarded $73,000 in scholarships to 17 students through the chapter’s foundation, the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund. These scholarships will support their college journeys at prestigious universities such as Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Purdue University, Howard University, Shenandoah University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Cornell University, Spelman College, North Carolina A&T State University, and Norfolk State University. The event highlighted the commitment of the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund to fostering academic excellence and supporting the educational aspirations of young scholars in our community.
FREE Leadership Sessions will be conducted at the George Mason University –Arlington Campus for High School Latinas. The program runs from Monday 7/15 through Friday 7/19 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM EST each day (1-week).
Las sesiones de liderazgo GRATUITAS se llevarán a cabo en el campus de George Mason University – Arlington para latinas de secundaria. El programa se desarrollará desde el lunes 15 de julio hasta el viernes 19 de julio, de 10:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. EST cada día (1 semana).
Our goal is to equip students with the fundamentals of self-promotion and guide them in shaping their personal brand for future success. What sets this program apart is its integration of self-awareness activities and mentorship by seasoned professionals.
Sessions begin with a thorough assessment of leadership dynamics on July 15th, participants delve into the intricacies of personal branding and etiquette on July 16th, followed by practical guidance on crafting compelling LinkedIn profiles and resumes on July 17th. July 18th emphasizes the art of storytelling through personal statements, while July 19th culminates in portfolio presentations, allowing participants to showcase their newfound skills. The program concludes on July 20th with a memorable graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the ELITE Academy’s graduates and their journey towards leadership excellence.
