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.

January: New Year, New You, Take Action, and Prepare

Resolve to be Ready in 2026!

According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, the mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services. As we begin a new year, let's all do our part to take action and prepare for anything that may come our way. In a large-scale emergency, first responders may be overwhelmed and unable to help everyone quickly. Now is the time to be ready, make plans, and get familiar with your local resources. The following information will help ensure that you and your family are well-prepared.

Resolve to Be Ready

Disasters are becoming more frequent. Prepare for the increased frequency of threats. The Howard County Office of Emergency Management includes 25 distinct hazard types. A few of the potential hazards are below, and a full list can be seen by clicking here:

flood
severe winter weather
lightning
emerging/re-emerging infectious disease
structure fire

Remember to prepare and check your emergency supply kits and replace any expired items.

For more detailed emergency supply lists:

Use the National Risk Index tool to find and better understand the risks that threaten your community. Use the interactive map to find your state and county risk.
Go to Ready.gov to read more about the risks.
Monitor the news and find information for emergency alerts and download the FEMA app.

Make Plans to Save the Lives of Your Family, Your Pets, and You

Plan to provide maximum safety for the entire family. Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so it’s important to sit down with them to make a plan. Take this time to update all family plans in case of emergencies such as a house fire, power outages, severe storms, and other common hazards. Write out the plans and keep them in a file away from potential fire and water damage, along with important phone numbers. Consider the following questions to start your emergency plans:

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?
Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

Create a list of important phone numbers: include emergency contacts (friends or family outside of the home), local hospital numbers, pharmacy, and your primary care physician.
Our Emergency Contact Cards: your key to keeping family information secure and ready for any situation.
Please use the information in our Preparedness Pal Brochure to designate a dependable “preparedness pal” who agrees to check on your well-being.
Document all household needs: allergies, medical requirements, special accommodations, service animals and pets.

Visit https://www.ready.gov/plan or https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/planahead/index.htm for more ideas on how to stay prepared.

Preparing can Save You Money

Use the financial checklist in the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to determine what you need to do to prepare financially for an emergency.

Create an emergency fund
Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what type of damage it covers
It may be worth looking into flood insurance for added protection.

Prepare to Better Connect Yourself with Your Community

Connect with your local emergency managers to learn more about planning for your community and check out the resources available to prepare for an emergency.

Join your Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meetings
Join a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Volunteer with Medical Reserve Corps – there are medical and nonmedical opportunities.
Stay informed with the following Howard County, Maryland, and Federal 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

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Colder weather often yields temperatures that can be dangerous after long periods of exposure, if proper precautions are not taken. Some of the dangers associated with winter weather include hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and injuries from heat sources.

Frostbite is the freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.

To protect yourself and your family in cold weather follow the below tips:

Cover your head.
Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer
Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
Be alert to other common winter hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and injuries from heat sources. CO is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Visit the Maryland Department of Health webpage for CO poisoning prevention tips.
Equip your vehicles with items such as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a snow shovel. More information about cold weather.

Additional Resources about Cold Weather Safety:

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 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.

Learn More