Stafford County conducted a full-scale shelter exercise on October 3, 2025, as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and emergency preparedness. The event was organized in partnership with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD), Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS), and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. These organizations are among those expected to provide shelter services for county residents during emergencies.
The exercise focused on testing multiple aspects of the county’s Shelter Operations Plan, including setting up facilities and equipment, transporting survivors, conducting needs assessments, registration processes, case management, and healthcare services. More than 200 individuals took part in the all-day drill, which involved staff members, exercise participants, and role-players.
Lessons learned from this exercise will be used to improve Mass Care operations through plan updates, new equipment purchases, and additional staff training. Stafford County expressed appreciation for the involvement of local, regional, and state agencies that contributed resources and personnel to both planning and execution.
Stafford County Public Schools played a key role in the exercise. The district is the only school district in Stafford County and enrolled 31,700 students during the 2023-24 school year according to data from the Virginia Department of Education (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Among its schools, Brooke Point High School had the highest enrollment with 2,242 students during that period (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). The student population was diverse; white students made up 38.9% of enrollment at 12,332 students while Hispanic students accounted for 24.5% or 7,780 students (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Total enrollment increased by 1.7% compared to the previous year’s figure of 31,160 (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center at Melchers enrolled the largest number of pre-kindergarten students in the county with 292 children representing more than half of all pre-kindergarten enrollment (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home).
“Stafford County prioritizes public safety excellence and continuously trains and practices to achieve high states of readiness,” according to a statement from county officials.
“These partners are all entities that would step up to help provide shelter services for residents Stafford County during an emergency or crisis.”
“This exercise tested several facets of the County’s Shelter Operations Plan, including facility and equipment set-up, survivor transportation, needs assessments, registration, case management and healthcare services.”
“Over 200 personnel, including exercise staff, players, and role-players participated in this all-day event; an enormous undertaking that required many components.”
“Lessons learned from the exercise will be incorporated into various Mass Care improvement efforts including plan revisions equipment purchases and staff training.”
“Stafford County would like to thank all the local regional and state agencies and partners that participated in the exercise planning process and provided staff and resources during the exercise itself.”
Questions about this initiative can be directed to the Stafford County Office of Emergency Management at oem@staffordcountyva.gov or (540) 658-7200.
