RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia officials say the state has met a milestone emergency planning goal.

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Gov. Bob McDonnell says that for the first time since 2007 all communities with an emergency management program now have a plan adopted by its elected governing board.

The announcement was made Wednesday as part of National Preparedness Month.

Virginia law was changed in 2007 to require local governing bodies to formally adopt the plans aimed at protecting citizens during disasters and emergencies every four years.

Before that, there was no timeline and officials say many plans had not been revised for several years.

McDonnell challenged local governments in 2011 to make all plans current.

And the Virginia Department of Emergency Management provided training, workshops and technical assistance to local emergency planners and leaders to reach that goal.