Board meets about twister

STAFFORD -— The Stafford County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Monday evening to ratify an Emergency Declaration. It was passed unanimously. 

County Administrator Anthony Romanello serving as the Director of Emergency Services issued the declaration following the EF 2 tornado that struck southern Stafford on May 8.

The brief session allowed the supervisors to comply with County Code, which requires the board to meet within five days of a declaration of a local emergency to approve the action. The County Code supports provisions in the Virginia Code.

The codes dictate that a declaration is required to activate the county emergency plans. Once a plan is activated the first responders can proceed to render emergency assistance to victims of a disaster. This includes actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of individuals and property. It also authorizes participation in the response by both local and interjurisdictional agencies.

Prior to the vote there was a discussion of the code, and Romanello was asked to point out the essential facets of the code, especially concerning entering into contracts. 

“There are really two primary reasons for it - two main purposes for making a declaration,“ said Romanello. “It allows for a temporary suspension of the procurement procedure.“

He explained that in a crisis response situation there isn’t time to get the necessary three bids and still meet emergency needs. By suspending that requirement purchases can be expedited.

“The vast majority of our expenditures are in people, for salaries,“ he said. 
He said, “If there is any potential for state or federal funding by declaring a local emergency we can receive reimbursement for expenses incurred for that period of local emergency,“ he said. “And citizens can potentially get state and federal funding to help them.“

In regard to the non-local funding he said Stafford County Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown and chief of the fire and rescue department’s Emergency Management Division Gerald Jaskulsi met with state officials that afternoon. It was indicated that they would not know for a while whether and state or federal funding would be forthcoming.

In response to how long the emergency declaration would be in effect, Romanello said that it is open-ended in order to be able to incorporate all the costs.
“At a future board meeting we will bring this back to the board to close out the recovery,“ he said, “as we want to make sure we capture all expenses in case we can get state or federal funding.“

Board members were also shown an aerial photo of the damaged structures with color codes distinguishing those that were safe to enter from those that were uninhabitable.

He told the supervisors that the clean up on Sunday had gone well and progress was being made, but that there were at least 40 families that no longer have permanent homes. 

“There is a handful that are unsafe but habitable and about one-third will need to be demolished or need major repairs,“ said Romanello. 
Supervisor Cord Sterling, R-Rock Hill, said that considering the extent of damage, “thank God there was no loss of life or serious injury.“

Chairman George Schwartz, D-Falmouth, said there was an extraordinary statewide response.

Marty van Duyne often contributes articles to the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at .