Hampton Roads All Hazards Advisory Committee (AHAC)

Overview

The Hampton Roads All Hazards Advisory Committee (AHAC) is a consolidated organization assuming the missions of

• Regional Emergency Management Technical Advisory Committee
• Hampton Roads Urban Area Working Group
• Hampton Roads Regional Catastrophic Planning Team
• Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System Oversight Committee (program is managed under contract with Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council)
• Hampton Roads Interoperable Communications Advisory Committee

Purpose

The AHAC’s purpose is to:

1. Provide policy direction and oversight for the development and maintenance of a coordinated and integrated regional approach to emergency management planning and response systems and identify ways for the region to work together and combine resources to address planning gaps.
2. Make annual recommendations for funding and budget requirements to the HRPDC Board and administer all funds appropriated to accomplish the work of the AHAC. 
3. Develop and maintain interoperable and operable communications capabilities and associated emergency communications activities.
4. Foster regional collaboration and communication for various preparedness stakeholder groups.
5. Foster regional communication and coordination for community education and citizen preparedness. 
6. Strengthen mass casualty response, medical surge, and mass prophylaxis capabilities.
7. Develop and coordinate hazard mitigation programs among the member jurisdictions.
8. Develop and acquire Federal, State, and private grant funding opportunities on behalf of the region and make recommendations as to how the region can most efficiently and effectively utilize financial assistance made available for disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery. 
9. Provide technical guidance and serve as a clearinghouse for homeland security issues for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
10. Develop a “whole of community” approach to planning and preparedness by including jurisdictions outside the HRPDC region and representation from critical entities such as the military, VOADs, non-governmental organizations and private service agencies, and industry.
11. Conduct Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA) on behalf of the region on a periodic basis as recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the National Preparedness System and the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP).