The Town of Leesburg is set to enhance its emergency preparedness with a comprehensive update to its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for 2025. During a recent Town Council work session, Emergency Management Coordinator Amy Cornell Titcomb outlined significant revisions aimed at improving response strategies and ensuring equitable treatment for vulnerable populations during crises.

The updated EOP is a crucial framework that guides emergency management activities across all town departments. It delineates roles, responsibilities, and organizational relationships, ensuring a coordinated response to emergencies. Titcomb emphasized the importance of aligning the plan with Virginia state code, which mandates regular reviews to keep local emergency plans current.

Key updates include a focus on emergency planning that addresses the needs of minority and vulnerable populations, such as those with limited English proficiency and families with young children. The plan will introduce new communication methods and flexibility in response strategies to better serve these groups. Additionally, the structure of the emergency coordination hub has been revamped to streamline operations and improve efficiency during incidents.

Council members raised questions about past emergency activations and the coordination between the town and Loudoun County. Titcomb confirmed that the town had activated its emergency coordination hub during significant weather events and planned events, ensuring ongoing collaboration with county emergency management.

Concerns were also voiced regarding potential funding uncertainties from federal sources, with discussions highlighting the need for local jurisdictions to prepare for possible reductions in federal assistance. Titcomb assured that the town is actively working on building partnerships and memorandums of understanding with local agencies to bolster its emergency response capabilities.

As the town prepares to adopt the updated EOP, residents can expect enhanced communication strategies and resources to help them prepare for emergencies. The plan aims to ensure that Leesburg is ready to respond effectively to any crisis while prioritizing the needs of all community members.