The Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Virginia State Police today announced the release of the multi-agency after-action report initiated following the major Jan. 3 snowstorm to assess the Commonwealth’s response efforts.
An independent comprehensive review of the conditions, events, and actions was conducted by CNA, a non-profit research and analysis organization. CNA produced the after-action report following the gathering of situational and other relevant information through numerous interviews with staff and leadership of the three involved Commonwealth of Virginia agencies.
“VDOT’s top priority is and always will be the safety of the traveling public, and as we learn from each event, this report highlighted key areas for us to refine in our winter-weather operations,” said Virginia Commissioner of Highways Stephen Brich. “Our on-road messaging, snow-clearing resource staging and partner engagement are all areas in which we are exploring new approaches to improve our response. Above all, we remain committed to better executing our mission of keeping Virginia’s transportation system safe every day and in the face of future extreme weather events. ”
“VDEM has a strong commitment to providing resources needed to support our local and state partners,” said State Coordinator Shawn Talmadge. “We look forward to working with VDOT, VSP, and our localities to further identify and enhance processes that will better support their needs.”
“The collective insights and findings of this independent report are being thoroughly reviewed by VSP leadership,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, VSP Superintendent. “Having this external perspective of state police’s response and management of this significant incident greatly benefits our agency’s ability to adapt, adjust, and improve our services and mission to ensure a safe and secure Commonwealth.”
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