June 30, 2005
CONTACT: Anna McRay, Coordinator, Henrico CERT
PHONE: 337-1528
The Henrico County Community Emergency Response Team (HCCERT) will offer its basic training academy--an eight-week program teaching disaster-preparedness skills--beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Henrico Training Center, 7701 E. Parham Road.
Participants in the weekly class will receive training in severe-weather preparedness, fire suppression, first-aid, disaster psychology, search and rescue, incident command and other emergency-response measures.
The HCCERT basic training academy is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 20 participants. The academy will meet 7-9 p.m. each Thursday from Aug. 11-Sept. 29. To register, call 337-1528 or e-mail henricocert@comcast.net by Thursday, Aug. 4.
Comprised of community volunteers, HCCERT provides immediate assistance in a neighborhood or workplace following a county emergency or natural disaster, when local public safety resources may be overwhelmed. For more information, log on to www.henricocert.org.
June 27, 2005
CONTACT: Michael L. Wade, Sheriff
PHONE: 501-4571
Henrico residents can now protect loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease, autism and similar ailments with Project Lifesaver, a unique program launched recently by the county's public safety agencies.
The Henrico Sheriff's Office and the divisions of Fire and Police have joined forces to offer Project Lifesaver, an electronic tracking system designed to quickly locate individuals suffering from a dementia-related disorder who may have wandered from their homes or caregivers.
"There is a growing need for this program, and we wanted to make it available to Henrico residents," said Sheriff Michael L. Wade. "This can give families an extra sense of security, knowing their loved ones could be easily found if they wander away from home."
Project Lifesaver participants wear a wrist or ankle bracelet equipped with a radio transmitter. Should a participant become disoriented and lost, specially trained public safety personnel use tracking technology to locate and rescue them. The program, which currently is used in several Virginia localities and more than 30 states, claims an average rescue time of 30 minutes and more than 1,160 rescues nationwide.
Residents approved for Project Lifesaver will pay a one-time administrative fee of $313 and a monthly battery-replacement charge of $10; only Henrico residents may apply. For an application form or additional information, contact the Sheriff's Office at 501-4094.
June 20, 2005
CONTACT: Patricia S. O'Bannon, Tuckahoe District Supervisor
PHONE: 501-4208
Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will travel to Germany June 25-30 as part of a National Association of Counties (NACo) fact-finding delegation that will examine high-speed train operations.
O'Bannon and the delegation will visit Siemens Corp. test facilities and observe firsthand the company's high-speed train systems at sites in Frankfurt, Cologne and Bremen. Siemens Corp., which develops wheel-on-rail and magnetic levitation high-speed trains, is sponsoring the trip. O'Bannon, who serves as a vice-chair of NACo's Large Urban County Caucus, is one of only 12 officials invited to join the trip.
Henrico County is part of the Richmond-Raleigh, N.C. federally designated high-speed rail corridor, one of 11 such corridors in the country. Representatives from other high-speed rail corridors will participate in the delegation as well.
"I will be collecting as much information as possible about a potential Richmond-to-Raleigh high-speed train service," O'Bannon said. "I also will represent our region as a good location for Siemens to install one of its trains."
Siemens is considering the Richmond-Raleigh corridor as one of five finalists for high-speed rail, O'Bannon said. Others include Chicago-St. Louis and San Francisco-San Diego.
Following her participation in the NACo delegation, O'Bannon will meet with officials in Henrico's sister county, Saarpfalz Kries. She will examine German health care and prepare for a visit by Saarpfalz Kries officials to Henrico in the fall.
June 9, 2005
CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
The Henrico County Department of Public Works expects heavy traffic on roadways near Richmond International Raceway (RIR) during the SunTrust Indy Challenge IRL IndyCar Series events on Saturday, June 25, and has planned measures to help move traffic through the area.
Due to damage to the Laburnum Avenue bridge, traffic on Laburnum Avenue east of RIR will be limited to one eastbound and westbound lane. Motorists should expect extremely heavy traffic and delays all day in the raceway area, especially from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.
Public Works encourages motorists to use Azalea Avenue and Meadowbridge Road to get to the raceway.
Motorists not attending the race are asked to turn on their vehicle headlights when approaching the RIR area in the morning and early afternoon of race day. Henrico Police will direct these vehicles toward a through-lane outside the flow of heavy raceway traffic.
Public Works also has planned temporary traffic patterns for the area to manage the increased volume of vehicles and will post signs on main roads near RIR. Henrico Police will direct traffic throughout the area.
"We're doing everything we can to minimize congestion and ensure traffic safety before and after the race," said Traffic Engineer Tim Foster.
June 7, 2005
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The Virginia Municipal League (VML) has appointed 10 Henrico County board members and key officials to its policy committees for 2005.
Members of the Board of Supervisors will serve one-year terms on the following policy committees: Board Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton, human development and education; Board Vice Chairman and Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover, general laws; Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele, vice chair, finance; Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, environmental quality; and Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, transportation.
Several county officials also were appointed to VML policy committees: Deputy County Manager for Community Services George T. Drumwright, Jr., human development and education; Deputy County Manager for Community Development Harvey L. Hinson, general laws; Deputy County Manager for Administration Leon T. Johnson, finance; Deputy County Manager for Community Operations Robert K. Pinkerton, environmental quality; and Director of Public Works Robert C. Thompson, transportation.
VML is a statewide association of city, town and county governments that assists local governments through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services. The league's policy and steering committees make policy recommendations to its legislative committee, which develops VML's annual legislative program. Appointments are made by the league's executive committee.
June 6, 2005
CONTACT: Veta Herbaugh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next town meeting of Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will examine gangs and ways to recognize gang activity. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, June 20, in the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
"Gang Awareness" will feature presentations by representatives from the Virginia Attorney General's Office and Henrico County. The officials will join Donati for a discussion and question-and-answer period as well.
Varina town meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
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