Be Prepared

Are you ready? These links contain resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

Page updated on Feb 25, 2020 at 10:18 AM

Be Informed

  • Be Informed - Information on specific hazards and how to be prepared for winter weather, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornados, and health emergencies. Includes a regional emergency preparedness guide.
  • Aquatic Health and Safety Program - The Health Department inspects and permits pools, spas, water parks and play fountains to keep our community healthier. Use this site to make a complaint about the safety of a pool, or to find out how to get a permit, become a licensed pool management company or obtain a pool operator card.
  • Building Codes - Standards and requirements for construction, maintenance, and occupancy of buildings in the interest of health, safety, and welfare of the public.
  • Community and Human Services Emergency Services - Emergency Services provides 24-hour intervention for persons experiencing a mental health or substance abuse-related crisis. Also provides information about the City’s Critical Incident Response Team and debriefing services following major events.
  • Food Safety Program – In addition to information for those operating a restaurant, catering, or other food related business, this page includes food safety guides on food and water safety during a storm, proper ways to store food, and more.
  • Get Emergency Notifications - Staying informed in the times of an emergency is one of the most important steps to take to remain safe.  Advance notice of an emergency - even just a few minutes - can make a big difference in your safety. The City of Alexandria’s Office of Emergency Management provides several ways for citizens to ensure they are alert.
  • Mosquito Control - The Vector Borne Illness Prevention Mosquito Control Program aims to monitor and reduce the mosquito population in the City of Alexandria in order to decrease the incidence of mosquito-borne illnesses.
  • Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 Update - This plan addresses hazards and risks facing Northern Virginia jurisdictions, including the City of Alexandria, as well as planned hazard mitigation actions.
  • Project Lifesaver – Project Lifesaver assists in providing a timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome, and related conditions or disorders.
  • Public Health Emergency Management - Public Health Emergency Management enhances readiness and resilience in communities throughout the City of Alexandria through emergency planning, training, drills/exercises, and outreach. 
  • Snow Storm FAQs
  • Winter Weather Emergency System  - Alexandria’s winter weather emergency classifications are based on type and accumulation of precipitation with severity ranging from Level 1 (least severe) to Level 3 (most severe).

Make a Plan

A basic responsibility for family emergency planning and response lies with individuals and members of households.  Every individual and family should be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours after a major emergency.  Two of the most important steps an individual can take to prepare themselves and their family for any type of emergency are to develop a plan and make a disaster kit.  

    Get Involved

    Become a volunteer and help your friends, neighbors and city be prepared for whatever comes.

    Utilities

    The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective services: Virginia American Water, Verizon, Comcast, Dominion Virginia Power, and Washington Gas. Some of these services may also be available from other providers.      

      Weather-Related Preparedness Information

      City Departments

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