Chesterfield, VA Emergency Management

09/01/2026

Heads up 🌡️ Chesterfield, VA is under a Heat Advisory starting tomorrow, September 2, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Be sure to stay hydrated, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and limit time outdoors.

A Heat Advisory has been issued for a large portion of the area for Wednesday (tomorrow). Heat indices between 105-108 degrees will make heat related illnesses more likely. Take precautions from the heat by staying hydrated and minimizing sun exposure.

09/01/2026

Today Marks the Start of National Preparedness Month! 🌟

September is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities become more prepared for emergencies. Severe weather, power outages, flooding, and other unexpected events can happen with little warning — but being prepared makes all the difference.

Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing tips and resources to help you:
• Stay informed
• Make a plan
• Build an emergency kit
• Get involved in community preparedness

The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared. Let’s work together to keep Chesterfield ready and resilient. Stay tuned for weekly preparedness tips and ways you can take simple steps to protect your family, household, and neighbors.

09/01/2026

Last week, Chesterfield Emergency Management proudly facilitated a Regional Water Tabletop Exercise here in Chesterfield. This exercise has been months in the making and brought together more than 100 participants from four major localities across Central Virginia.

The scenario challenged partners from utilities, public safety, public health, higher education, procurement, and more to strengthen communication, coordination, and decision-making.

We’re grateful to all the agencies and professionals who joined us. Collaborative training like this ensures our region is better prepared and ready when real‑world emergencies occur. 💧💪

Henrico County Government Hanover County Government City of Richmond, VA Government Virginia Department of Emergency Management Virginia Department of Health University of Richmond Virginia Commonwealth University Hanover County Fire-EMS Department Richmond VA Emergency Management and 911 Henrico County Emergency Management

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM‑USA) Top 40 Under 40 is a prestigious recognition awarded to emergency management professionals under 40 who demonstrate exceptional talent, leadership, and impact in their communities. It highlights the next generation of leaders who are driving our field forward.

We are proud to announce that our Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, Osjane' Mayfield, has been selected as one of the IAEM Top 40 Under 40 Honorees for 2026! This recognition reflects her hard work, dedication, and outstanding contributions to our community.

Please join us in congratulating Osjane' on this incredible achievement! 🎉

For more information on this year's honorees, please visit https://www.iaem.org/40-under-40-honorees/

08/20/2026

⚠️ Heads up ⚠️Check out this weeks forecast from our friends at NWS Wakefield ⬇️

⚠️ Thunderstorms developing later today will be capable of producing heavy downpours, with rain rates of 2-4" per hour expected. This could cause scattered instances of flash flooding, particularly in urban and poor drainage areas.
Additional showers and storms are expected through Saturday. Rainfall totals of 1-2" are forecast area-wide, with locally heavier amounts possible where storms recur.
Stay safe and remember: Turn Around Don't Drown! 🚗🚫💧
For the latest updates, visit weather.gov/wakefield.

08/17/2026

As we head into a new school year, it’s important to focus not just on supplies and schedules, but also on emergency preparedness. 🎒⚠️ Taking a few simple steps now can help ensure everyone stays safe, informed, and ready for the unexpected.

Back‑to‑School Emergency Preparedness Tips:
📇 Update emergency contacts: Make sure phone numbers, medical information, and authorized pick‑up lists are current.
🚨Review safety procedures: Familiarize yourself—and your student—with school protocols for fire drills, severe weather, lockdowns, and building evacuations.
🧰💧Prepare a small emergency kit: Include items like a water bottle, personal medications (as allowed), hand sanitizer, extra masks, and essential comfort items.
📞📍Discuss communication plans: Talk about how your family will connect during an emergency and identify a reliable meeting place if needed.
👀Reinforce awareness: Encourage students to stay alert, report anything concerning, and know how to safely follow staff instructions during any type of incident.
📢 Stay informed: Sign up for alerts, district notifications, and community emergency systems to receive real‑time updates.

A safe start is a strong start. Taking a few proactive steps now helps ensure students, staff, and families are protected and prepared for whatever the year may bring.

08/14/2026

We had a great time attending the Solstice Advanced Safety Days!

Our team enjoyed connecting with community members, sharing important safety resources, and learning from all the great partners who came together to make this event meaningful. A huge thank‑you to everyone who stopped by, participated, and helped promote safety and preparedness in our community.

Events like this remind us how strong we are when we work together! Looking forward to continuing our mission of supporting safety, preparedness, and resilience throughout the year.

08/12/2026

Yesterday’s storms were a powerful reminder of just how quickly weather conditions can change. ⛈️ One minute, skies can be clear and the next, a storm can develop and bring strong winds, lightning, heavy rain, and other hazards.

As we continue through severe weather season, make sure you’re prepared:
📱 Have a reliable way to receive weather warnings
🏠 Know where you’ll shelter before a storm arrives and make sure everyone in your household knows the plan
🪟 Stay away from windows once indoors
🚗 If a sturdy building isn’t nearby, get inside a vehicle
🧰 Keep an emergency kit with enough supplies to last at least 72 hours

Don’t wait until the storm is overhead to prepare. Stay weather aware and stay safe!🌩️

08/08/2026

This past week, our team attended the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region 3 Leadership Forum — an energizing one‑day event focused on developing and strengthening leadership in the emergency management field.

We explored our own leadership styles, identified key strengths, and learned practical ways to lead with confidence and impact. The forum featured accomplished leaders from across the region who shared their personal leadership journeys, lessons learned, and real‑world insights on managing crises, building effective teams, and driving organizational success.

We were especially proud that our Emergency Management Coordinator, Jess Winter, co‑led a discussion on understanding your leadership style, offering thoughtful perspectives on adaptability, self‑awareness, and effective team engagement.

Whether emerging or experienced, every attendee walked away with new strategies and meaningful connections to help elevate their leadership in any emergency management role. We’re excited to bring these insights back to Chesterfield as we continue building a resilient and empowered community. 💪✨