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
Each month HCHD will bring you information and resources about different hazards and how to be prepared to respond.
September: National Preparedness
September is National Preparedness Month, and it is a good time to remember why being ready for emergencies matters. As we move from summer into fall, the weather can change quickly and bring new risks, like storms or other natural disasters. This month reminds us to take simple steps to stay safe and protect our community from the hazards we face here at home.
Maryland Department of Health Celebrates National Preparedness Month video
How Americans take pride in staying prepared and working together after disasters:
• Americans stand ready to protect our family and friends:
We know how to keep our loved ones safe when things go wrong.
• Americans stand ready to help our communities:
When we prepare ahead of time, we make our community stronger and more resilient.
• Americans stand ready to uphold our patriotic duty:
When people are ready and able to take care of themselves, it supports the brave first responders who help others on their hardest day.
Local Howard County Hazards:
- Extreme Temperature (Heat & Cold)
- Sever Weather (Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Flash Flooding, Lightning)
- Transportation Hazards (accidents, fuel/chemical leaks, road hazards)
- Power Outage
Personal Preparedness:
- Making Plans
- Create Emergency Kits
- Household Safety Preparation
- Get Involved
Preparing Makes Sense video
Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
- Establish a Unique word for use (in case calling from unknown number)
Create a Shelter Plan
- Identify shelter in your home
- Shelter location when evacuating
Sign up for Emergency Alerts & Warnings
- Sign up/Follow Health Department Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
- Sign up/Follow Office of Emergency Management Facebook & Twitter
Consider your family’s unique needs
- Ages of all Household Members
- Cultural and religious
- Pets or service animals
- Identification
- Important Documents (insurance policies, deeds/titles)
- Medical Conditions and/or special needs
- Allergies
Assemble an Emergency Kit
- Nonperishable food
- Water
- Medications
- First Aid Items
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Battery-Powered Radio
- Hygiene Items
- Prescription Eyeglasses and contact lens solution
- Infant Formula, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream
- Pet Food and Extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler’s checks
- Games, puzzles, and books for activities (children & adults)
- Disaster Recover Kit Checklist
- Installation inside every bedroom
- Outside each separate sleeping area
- In the basement as well
- Place on every level of your home
- Especially near sleeping areas and fuel-burning equipment
- Monthly Test
- Change Batteries twice a year
- Fire Extinguisher
Heating System -Evaluation/Cleaning
Fireplace/chimney cleaning
Potential Hazards
- Cleaning Supplies
- Lawn Care Products
- Oils & Lubricants
- Button Batteries
- Medications (prescription, mental-health related, and over-the-counter)
- Store important Documents in Fireproof/waterproof box/safe
- Store electronic documents in cloud-based storage
- Keep Valuable items in higher locations of home
- Become an MRC Volunteer or email HoCoMRC@howardcountymd.gov
- Become a Community Organizations Active in Disaster Member (COAD)
- Attend Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meetings
- Participate in a CPR Classes
- Participate in a Stop the Bleed Classes
Be Prepared
Additional Resources
How can YOU help in an emergency?
Become a Public Health Hero - Join the Howard County Medical Reserve Corps
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.
Howard County Health Department
Phone: 410-313-6300
After Hours: 410-313-2200
Maryland Department of Health (MDH)
Phone: 410-767-6500
Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM)
Phone: 410-517-3600
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:
- NHTSA Prevent Hot Car Deaths
- CDC Sun Safety
- American Academy of Pediatrics Drowning Prevention
- National Weather Service Heat Safety
- Heat.gov
- Heat Emergency Awareness: Hot Weather Tips and Heat-Related Illnesses
Places to cool off on a hot day (contact location to verify operating hours before visiting)
- Howard County Library System Branches
- Howard County 50+ Centers
- Howard County Recreation & Parks Community Centers
- The Mall in Columbia
- Map of Howard County Cooling Centers
Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677 or visit grassrootscrisis.org(opens in a new window).