Posted November 6, 2024

RICHMOND, Virginia – Effective Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the City of Richmond has decided to deactivate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and return to normal operations following election day.

On Tuesday, the staff at the Emergency Operations Center monitored the city and polling sites closely throughout the day. They maintained continuous communication with local law enforcement agencies, election officials, and first responders to ensure a coordinated response to any potential issues. Fortunately, as the day unfolded, there were no significant incidents to report. There were no reported instances of violence, disruptions, or security concerns arising during the elections. The commitment and collaboration among the various city agencies were instrumental in ensuring that the election day proceeded peacefully and efficiently.

“Our goal was to ensure a safe and secure voting experience for the residents of Richmond,” Stephen Willoughby, Director of Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response said in a statement. “The deactivation of the EOC will allow us to assess our strategies and make necessary adjustments for future activations, ensuring we are continuously improving and enhancing public safety in the City of Richmond.”

                                                                                                                                           - 30 -

The city of Richmond’s Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response sustains citizen trust by providing reliable emergency preparedness management and communications services in a timely and efficient manner. DECPR is designated as the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the City of Richmond’s E-911 telephone system and is charged with the appropriate routing of all E-911 and non-emergency calls for service. The department is also responsible for the coordination of all emergency radio and telephone communications for public safety agencies in the City of Richmond.