Emergency Preparedness

Public Health Preparedness Program

Mission: To prepare and respond to natural and man-made public health emergencies including, but not limited to:

severe weather conditions
bioterrorism
disease outbreaks
radiological/nuclear hazards

Medical Reserve Corps-Volunteer or Request Volunteers

flood, health worker in protective equipment, lightening, snowstorm

Each month HCHD will bring you information and resources about different hazards and how to be prepared to respond.

Hazard of the Month: Back to School Preparedness

group of students climb onto a school bus

As students in Howard County prepare to return to school in late August, it's a great time to review how to keep them safe and healthy.

Click the tabs below for information on various back-to-school topics:

Prepare your child for emergencies

You can help prepare your child for unexpected situations with these simple steps:

Know the school layout. Teach your child to be aware of their surroundings at school, including exits, escape routes, first-aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
Create an emergency card. Fill out a card with your emergency contact information and place it in your child's backpack.
Memorize key information. Help your child memorize important contact information, in case they get separated from their belongings. This includes:
- A family member's phone number
- Their full name and at least one parent or guardian's full name
- Their home address
- A parent or guardian's workplace
Pack an emergency kit. A few essential items in their backpack can make a big difference:
- Water and snacks that won't spoil
- A small first-aid kit
- A whistle to signal for help
- A list of any allergies, medical conditions, and medications (make sure the school and teacher have a copy, too)
Review travel routes. Talk with your child about different ways to get home, such as walking, taking the bus, or carpooling with a friend.
Set up a secret code word. Create a special code word with your child and anyone who might pick them up. This will prevent an unauthorized person from taking them home.

When children are prepared, they feel more confident during stressful situations. Taking these steps can improve safety and give everyone peace of mind.

For more information on school emergency preparedness, visit the CDC School Preparedness website.

Vaccinations

Immunizations are essential for keeping your child and community healthy and safe from vaccine-preventable diseases. The Maryland Department of Health provides a list of required immunizations for school.

How to Help Your Child

Check with your doctor. Make sure your child is up-to-date on their vaccines before the school year begins to avoid them being excluded from class.
Find a clinic. If you can't get a doctor's appointment or don't have a provider, the Howard County Health Department offers walk-in clinics throughout the summer for school-required vaccines.
Get more information. To learn about specific vaccine requirements and to see the walk-in clinic schedule, visit the Childhood Immunization webpage.

Information about the flu vaccine for the 2025-2026 season will be available in September 2025.

If you have questions, call our Public Health Readiness line at 410-313-6284, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vision & Hearing Health

Children's vision and hearing are crucial for their development and success in the classroom. Undiagnosed problems can negatively impact their learning and social skills.

Signs of Vision Problems:

Headaches after schoolwork
Frequent eye rubbing
Holding objects close to the face or squinting
Getting tired easily during activities like reading or drawing

Signs of Hearing Problems:

Tilting the head to hear better
Difficulty responding to or locating sounds
Trouble developing correct speech sounds

How to Help Your Child:

Schedule a hearing and/or vision screening. Early detection is key!
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, consult with a doctor or audiologist about treatment options and intervention services.

Mental Health

Mental health is crucial for a child's overall well-being. According to the CDC, poor mental health can impact many aspects of a child's life, including their academic performance, relationships, and decision-making.

When young people feel connected to their school, they are more likely to:

Make positive, healthy choices.
Have higher grades, better attendance, and a greater chance of graduating.

How you can help your child:

Communicate openly and honestly with them.
Listen to them and help them develop healthy decision-making skills.
Spend quality time together on shared activities.

Additional Resources:

Be Prepared

Let's Get Started

General Preparedness Information

Extreme Hot and Cold Weather Conditions

Hurricanes, Storms and Floods

Influenza (Flu)

Zika Resources

Bioterrorism Agents & Diseases

Additional Resources

Heat/Sun Safety Tips

Look Before You Lock hot car infographic

Extreme heat can be dangerous after long periods of exposure, if proper precautions are not taken.

To protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers posed by prolonged sun and heat exposure, follow the below tips:

NEVER leave children or pets unattended in a parked car or other hot environment.
If you must be outside in the heat, wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
Stay hydrated. Drink water and caffeine-free liquids. Alcoholic beverages do not keep you hydrated.
Take frequent rest breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas if you must work or exercise outdoors. If possible, stay out of the sun during the middle of the day.
Know the signs of heat-related illness, including: extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, vomiting, fainting, dry/red skin.
Check regularly on infants, elderly, family and neighbors with health conditions as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
If planning a trip to the lake/beach/pool to cool off, be sure to review swim and water safety guidelines with your family and children

Additional Resources about Heat/Sun Safety:

Places to cool off on a hot day (contact location to verify operating hours before visiting)

Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677 or visit grassrootscrisis.org.

Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps

How can YOU help in an emergency?
Become a Howard County Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer

The Howard County Medical Reserve Corps (HCMRC) Program is volunteer organization created in July 2002. Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers can be medical and public health professionals or community members with no healthcare background.

This organization prepares for and responds to extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, blizzards, and floods, as well as other emergencies affecting public health, such as disease outbreaks.

The MRC also plans community health activities that promote healthy habits.

For more information or questions, contact Randell Young at 410-313-7237 or via email.

Request MRC Volunteers for your organization's public health event

Howard County MRC volunteers may be able to assist your organization with an upcoming event. Complete this request form to let us know what your needs are and you will receive a response within 72 hours from our team with the next steps. Submissions must be completed at least 2 weeks before the event. Questions should be emailed to hocomrc@howardcountymd.gov.

Criteria to qualify for MRC assistance:

The requesting agency provides a service which promotes or supports public health initiatives in Howard County.
The event for which assistance is being sought does not conflict with other planned HCMRC activities.
The requesting agency’s mission may not conflict with the mission of the HCHD, or the HC MRC.

Examples of Public Health Initiatives: