Second Virginia Beach Emergency Management Staff Member Deploys to Alaska for Disaster Flood Response

A second Virginia Beach Emergency Management staff member will deploy to Alaska to assist with catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Typhoon Halung.   

Response and Recovery Program Manager Andy Booden served as the operations section chief in the Alaska State Emergency Operations Center, Oct. 16-30. Mitigation Program Manager Danielle Spach is expected to serve as the situation unit leader in the Alaska State Emergency Operations Center, Nov. 14-30. 

Request for assistance came from an inter-state Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Virginia Beach staff will be part of the Hampton Roads Incident Management Team joining a blended Virginia Incident Management Team. 

“This deployment highlights the expertise and dedication of the Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Management staff,” said Dave Topczynski, director of Emergency Management. “Time and again, our team answers the call when the unthinkable happens – sharing our knowledge to assist others while gaining invaluable, real-world experience that strengthens our city’s overall resilience and preparedness.”