News

Community Emergency Response Training Begins in March

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Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County, in partnership with CSPDC, will be offering Community Emergency Response Training (CERT).  Two courses will be offered, with an evening option on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. starting March 22nd and a morning course on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. starting March 23rd.  The training will be held at the CSPDC office in Staunton.
This nine-week course uses a standard curriculum designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and teaches basic skills in disaster preparedness, fire safety, first aid, terrorism awareness, disaster psychology, and search & rescue.  The CERT course is designed to give the average person tools to prepare themselves and their family during severe weather or other emergencies when emergency personnel are overwhelmed and may not be able to respond immediately.
The course is open to anyone who lives or works in Staunton, Waynesboro, or Augusta County.  The course is free and all materials are provided. Participants must pre-register no later than March 17, 2017, by contacting CERT Coordinator Rebecca Joyce, at 540-885-5174 or by email at rebecca@cspdc.org.

Grants Available for Dam and Floodplain Projects

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The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has announced that $1.2 million dollars in grant funds are available through the Virginia Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund. The Fund is managed by the Virginia Resources Authority on behalf of DCR.  Eligible projects through the Fund include dam safety projects for local governments and private entities that own existing regulated dams and flood prevention and protection projects for local communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. The grants provided through the Fund are reimbursements and require a 50% match. Grant  applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on March 31, 2017.

Braiding the Way Releases Community Survey

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Braiding the Way for Outdoor Recreation in the Rockbridge Area is conducting an online survey as part of the process for developing a Master Outdoor Recreation Plan for the region.  The survey is open to both residents and visitors and asks participants to share information on their involvement in outdoor recreation activities, spending and demographic information.  The data from the survey results will be used to conduct an economic impact analysis report.
To take the survey, please click here:
The survey will remain open until July 31, 2017.

Grant Awarded For Regional Wildfire Protection Plan

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Rocky Mtn. Fire - night photo 6 - 4.19.16 by Bob Adamek

Rocky Mtn. Fire. Photo by Bob Adamek

The CSPDC has received  grant funds from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant Program to complete a regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

CWPPs cover such issues as wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness, and structural protection. Previously, the CSPDC assisted Augusta County with completing a CWPP. This new CWPP will take a regional approach, with all 21 jurisdictions within the Central Shenandoah Region eligible to participate. The planning process will take place over the next 18 months.
Public input will be an integral part of creating the regional CWPP, and will be solicited through open houses, an on-line survey, and community outreach. When completed, the CWPP will be incorporated into the  Central Shenandoah All Hazards Mitigation Plan.

Farm2Fork Affair Set for March 6

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16107515_10154085406332051_7813727089366046973_oThe Northern Shenandoah Valley Farm2Fork Affair on March 6, 2017 in Luray, Virginia, will connect regional agricultural producers and large-scale consumers in a trade show expo.  John Hoffman the Executive Chef of Keswick Hall will deliver the keynote address to an audience expected to include producers and hundreds of restaurateurs, retailers, grocers, hoteliers, and innkeepers from the Shenandoah Valley region, Charlottesville, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and West Virginia.

Prior to the event, a Farm2Fork Ready! Workshop will be provided for those producers showcasing their products at the expo. This workshop is designed to provide guidance on creating a professional presentation and developing working relationships with potential clients.

For more information, please visit www.Farm2ForkAffairNSV.com