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Norfolk, Chesapeake explore adding joint emergency operations, regional dispatch centers

The two cities will vote on the commission of a joint study to see how Hampton Roads can improve emergency management through regional collaboration.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WVEC) — The city governments of Chesapeake and Norfolk will vote on the commission of a joint study to examine the possibilities of enhancing emergency operations through regional efforts.

Each Hampton Roads city has its own emergency operations center, but the area does not have a regional dispatch center. Deputy city managers for both cities pitched the idea of a joint study to the Chesapeake and Norfolk city councils.

"It's all about saving lives, making sure our residents are safe and secure," Norfolk Deputy City Manager Mike Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith and Chesapeake Deputy City Manager Robert Geis said they're trying to keep the study open-ended and not anticipate potential changes. However, both acknowledged the existence of regional emergency centers used by the Navy and in other areas of the county.

"If the study says having a regional 911 dispatch works, then that's what we'll look at," Goldsmith said. "If the study says linking the 911 centers virtually works better, then we'll look at that."

Goldsmith and Geis said sharing data between the cities could save lives, especially in the event of a natural disaster like a major hurricane. They said the cities have focused on sharing information in recent years, but regional communication could improve.

"If there was a man-made incident that would require a regional response and tax an individual city's response teams - well the other cities could help, should help and would help," Geis said. "We need to make that more effective and efficient."

The idea for a regional emergency response can be looked at through a lens of asset management. Goldsmith and Geis would like to be able to see where each city's emergency response is needed and prepare mutual aid without waiting for a phone call. This could include sharing real-time mapping data between the cities.

"If something is happening over here, let's get some resources ready to go just in case and then we're that much quicker," Goldsmith said.

The duo said city officials in Hampton, Virginia Beach, and Newport News have expressed interest in collaborating through some kind of regional emergency response in the future and are waiting to see what comes of the potential joint study.

Norfolk City Council and Chesapeake City Council will both vote on the joint study on November 20.

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