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Emergency management seeks six full‑time safety and security specialists to manage county sites and training
Summary
The Office of Emergency Management Safety & Security on March 10 requested six full‑time safety and security specialists to expand assessments, training and facility safety work across more than 250 county sites.
The Office of Emergency Management Safety & Security asked supervisors for six additional full‑time safety and security specialists at the March 10 budget work session, citing a growing workload in site security assessments, training and life‑safety equipment maintenance.
Interim OEM leadership told the board the safety and security division currently has seven staff (including one contractor) tasked with managing safety and security for more than 250 county sites and nearly 5,000 employees. The requested staffing change would convert a contractor position to a full‑time equivalent and add five more specialists to expand capacity. The office listed core responsibilities that include weapons‑screening ordinance administration, management of the county disruptive behavior and facility ban policy, conducting incident reviews and risk assessments, maintaining AEDs and first‑aid kits across county facilities, delivering CPR and situational awareness training and managing building emergency action plans.
The presentation cited the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center’s assessment that government facilities are a most‑targeted sector and referenced recent threats and altercations at public meetings and regional events to justify increased staffing. Interim OEM staff said the additional specialists would allow more regular training for employees, more timely security assessments and improved emergency preparedness across county facilities.
Supervisors asked about surge capacity for high‑profile events; OEM staff said the county can also call on contracted security (Allied Security) and coordinate with local police and the sheriff. The office emphasized the need for a sustained increase in baseline staff to reduce the risk of delayed assessments and lapsed emergency plans.
Next steps: OEM will bring cost detail and job descriptions forward as part of the FY2026 budget process; supervisors did not take an immediate vote on the staffing request during the March 10 work session.
