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.

October: Disaster Communication & Preparedness

Communicating with family, friends, and loved ones after a major disaster is a high priority, as you try to determine their status and confirm that they are okay. However, disasters can make communication especially difficult, for several reasons:

Physical Damage to Communications Infrastructure:

Such as telephone lines, fiber optics, or switches that facilitate communications
Loss of Electricity
That keeps communication systems powered
Too Many People trying to communicate at the same time
Communications infrastructure becomes oversaturated and unable to support

Options in a Disaster:

Landline Phones – old-fashioned copper wire-based system is often most reliable
Continue to operate during power outages as they work on own low voltage system

Text Messages – More likely to get through during an emergency as they consume less bandwidth

Email – text-based emails consume very little bandwidth (no pictures)

Social media – great asset for disaster by offering Safety Check features

Two-way radios – Proven extremely reliable communication when other fail

Amateur or “Ham” Radio – a form of two-way radios and are capable of communicating radio to radio with an expanded range using intermediate relay radio stations called “repeaters”

For more detailed information, see Disaster Communications

Home Preparedness

Fall is the perfect time to take preparedness actions for your family.

As we see temperatures dropping during the overnight and early morning hours, now is the time to prepare for the coming heating season.

The following actions can be taken depending on how you heat your home:

Fireplace or wood stove

Now is the time to not only stock up on your firewood, but it is also the time to prepare for lighting these items by having your chimney cleaned. Prevents chimney fires that can easily spread in the right conditions of dry and windy. You have 3 feet of space from anything that can burn.

Furnace – Whether Oil, Gas or Electric

Have your system inspected and cleaned prior to turning it on for the first time. Now is the time to discover any issues with your system. This will prevent carbon monoxide issues.

Space Heater

Regardless of the fuel source (electric or kerosene) you need to have the unit clean for any dust or debris or serviced if advised by manufacture. You also need to ensure that you have 3 feet of space from anything that can burn.

Caulking and Weather stripping

Change Batteries in Smoke Detectors & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Family Communication on Auto Preparedness

It’s a good idea to prepare your car for the colder weather. By having your regular service maintenance with a focus on the following:

Antifreeze levels

Battery levels

Breakers

Heater and Defroster

Tires (either good all-season radials or snow tires)

Prepare a car emergency kit which can include

Jumper cables

Flares

Ice Scraper

Car Cell Phone Charger

Blanket(s)

Map

Food and water

Warm clothes and other necessities

For other Stay warm tips

Communicate to Prevent Substance Exposures

Talk. They Hear You.

A national substance use prevention campaign that helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action.

For more information on “Talk. They Hear You.”

Follow storage tips for medications, e-Liquids, nicotine and marijuana products and teach children to avoid these products.

For Behavioral Health programs and services in Howard County visit here.

Chemical & Radiological Preparedness

Howard County lies within a 50-mile radius ingestion zone from a nuclear power plant located in southern Pennsylvania – the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. In the event of an accident causing a radioactive release at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Howard County is subject to radiological hazards. Procedures are in place to help protect Howard County residents and other members of the public in the unlikely event of an emergency.

You can find additional information on our Nuclear & Chemical Hazard Preparedness page

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: