County emergency services and Colonial Beach EMS outline hurricane‑season readiness and new ambulance service

County emergency management officials and local EMS leaders told the Colonial Beach Town Council that the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 onward) requires residents and the town to finalize evacuation and shelter plans and to confirm communications and sheltering assets.

The county emergency‑services chief emphasized coastal inundation, storm surge and wind risk for the peninsula geography and urged residents to “know your zone,” prepare a three‑day emergency kit and sign up for the county alert system. He reviewed evacuation routes (Route 3 west and Route 17) and described how shelter activation timing would depend on forecast tracks, with typical public notices beginning at least 48 hours before expected impact when possible.

Robin, deputy chief for EMS, told council that Colonial Beach now has a new ambulance in service staffed 24/7 with an ALS crew and that the county purchased upgraded cardiac monitors; she said those items will improve on‑scene care. Officials said two county facilities are VDEM‑registered shelters and that the county is expanding its disaster‑relief assets and running exercises, including a planned tabletop exercise involving neighboring towns.

Council members asked about notification lead times and public participation in exercises; officials said exercises can be staff‑only or include elected officials and that the county will consider streaming or other methods to broaden observation. Officials encouraged residents to follow local social media, sign up for alerts and have full tanks of fuel during hurricane season.

Next steps: county emergency staff will finalize tabletop exercise dates and continue outreach to increase signups for emergency alerts.