September 05, 2025
For Immediate Release
September is National Preparedness Month and the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center (CUA911) is encouraging all residents to take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters. This year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” highlights the importance of individual and family readiness.
While first responders work constantly to respond to emergencies, larger disasters—such as severe storms, wildfires, and widespread power outages—can strike at any time. “Taking time to prepare now,” shares CUA911 Emergency Management Liaison Holden Shepard, “can help our 911 teams significantly reduce the response to calls for service that can be reduced or eliminated by residents preparing their families for risks facing our community.”
“Taking time now to prepare for risks facing our community,” shares CUA911 Emergency Management Liaison Holden Shepard, “can reduce their impact to residents and help our 911 teams by significantly decreasing the calls for service requiring their response.”
“Throughout National Preparedness Month, CUA911 will provide tips and resources on its social media channels that share ways residents can take action. In keeping with this year’s theme, messages will focuson one of four key areas: know your risks, make a plan, build a kit, and get involved. “By taking small steps now, our community can be more ready to face the unexpected,” shares Shepard. Residents are encouraged to visit FEMA’s preparedness website www.ready.gov for more information and resources. You can also sign up to receive community emergency alerts to stay informed by visiting cua911.gov/alerts.
CUA911 is a robust emergency communications center (ECC) that continues to work for its community to be at the forefront of public safety communications and preparedness services. In 2023, a seven-year Strategic Plan was adopted by the ECC’s Management Board in support of the commitment to continual improvement, resulting in great strides being made in various aspects of the center’s administration, operations, and service to its communities and field responders. In an emergency, don’t hesitate — 911 is always here for our community. Call if you can, text if you can’t.
About the ECC
The Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center (ECC) provides all emergency communications services for Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia. The mission of the Emergency Communications Center is to provide community safety and preparedness services through innovation and collaboration that earns community trust. The ECC receives all 9-1-1 calls in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area and serves as the central dispatch for the three local police departments, three rescue squads, and fire calls. The ECC is a nationally recognized center, having been accredited through the CALEA since 2006, as well as being designated as an APCO National Certified Training Program and Virginia Accredited Emergency Medical Dispatch Communications Center.