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MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Westernport Becomes Home to New Maryland Mesonet Station

State of Maryland announces activation of new Mesonet Weather Station in Westernport to improve access to localized weather data

WESTERNPORT, Md. (July 30, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), in coordination with University of Maryland, Allegany County Department of Emergency Services, and the Town of Westernport today announced the activation of a new mesonet weather monitoring station in Westernport, Maryland. This installation expands Maryland’s growing network of high‑resolution environmental monitoring sites and strengthens the State’s ability to detect, track, and respond to hazardous weather conditions.

“This investment reflects Maryland’s commitment to proactive emergency management,” said Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management, Russ Strickland. “Expanding our statewide mesonet network provides emergency managers, forecasters, and public safety partners with more timely, localized weather data to support informed decisions before, during, and after severe weather.”

Situated along the Potomac River corridor in southern Allegany County, the new Westernport mesonet station delivers continuous, real‑time measurements on temperature, wind, humidity, precipitation, soil conditions, and other critical atmospheric variables. These data feed directly into Maryland’s statewide hazard analysis systems, the University of Maryland’s public-facing webpage, and the National Weather Service, improving the accuracy of severe weather forecasting and enhancing situational awareness for emergency managers across the region.

Since the historic flooding that impacted Western Maryland in May 2025, MDEM has worked closely with local officials and community partners to support long-term recovery efforts. Most notably, the department administered the first-ever award from Maryland’s State Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF) to help eligible survivors recover from the disaster. The funding provided direct assistance to affected residents, helping them secure temporary housing, replace essential personal property, and meet other disaster-related recovery needs at a time when federal disaster assistance was unavailable. MDEM continues to coordinate with State and local partners to identify additional resources that support the community’s ongoing recovery.

“We’re excited to have the new Mesonet weather station for our town,” said Westernport Mayor, Allen Shapiro. “Following the devastating May 2025 flooding events, every additional tool that improves weather monitoring is invaluable to our community. This station will help us better prepare for quickly changing weather conditions. We are grateful to be able to collaborate with each agency involved in bringing this important resource to our community.”

The Westernport station is part of Maryland’s ongoing initiative to expand mesonet coverage into rural and mountainous areas where traditional weather sensors are sparse. The enhanced data will support:

Improved flood and storm‑impact modeling
Real-time meteorological impact verification
More accurate winter weather and high‑wind alerts
Enhanced fire‑weather assessments for public safety agencies
Stronger coordination with the National Weather Service
Increased public access to reliable, hyper‑local weather information

“The 2025 Georges Creek flood exposed a monitoring gap that the Maryland Mesonet is actively closing,” said James Hyde, Mesonet Manager. “By swiftly delivering high-quality data, these stations give leaders intelligence and confidence in fast-changing storms. This real-time accuracy contributes to faster warnings and helps engineers design long-term flood solutions.”

The Westernport mesonet station is now fully operational, and its data will be publicly accessible on the Maryland Mesonet website: https://mesonet.umd.edu/

Secretary Russell Strickland and Deputy Secretary Chas Eby will be available for interview and comment on the launch of the Mesonet station and the continued recovery efforts in western Maryland at MDEM Headquarters. To RSVP please email [email protected].

For more information, residents can also go to MDEM’s website at mdem.maryland.gov, and follow MDEM’s social media feeds X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Instagram (instagram.com/mdmema), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social).

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Maryland Announces Cybersecurity Funding Opportunities for Local Government

MDEM is opening applications for the Local Cybersecurity Support Fund to help strengthen cyber resilience across Maryland

HANOVER, Md. (July 27, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is announcing a funding opportunity through the Local Cybersecurity Support Fund (LCSF), a fund created by the State and managed by MDEM. The Fund aims to improve cyber security preparedness at the local government level to include local school systems, local school boards, and local health departments. The application period for the LCSF is open now, and applicants have until August 28 to apply.

This funding opportunity can be an important tool that local governments can use to bolster their cybersecurity defenses in an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape.

For more information on the LCSF Application process, please visit the Cyber Preparedness Unit’s LSCF webpage or email [email protected].

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Governor Moore Declares State of Preparedness Ahead of Historic Heat Wave

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore today declared a State of Preparedness Read the rest of this entry »

Maryland Hosts Multi-State Exercise Series to Prepare for Catastrophic Disasters

Department of Emergency Management Tests Evacuation Coordination Plans Ahead of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season

OCEAN CITY, Md. (May 27, 2026) — Yesterday, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) hosted a multi-state tabletop exercise focused on evacuation coordination. Representatives from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and local governments from the Delmarva Peninsula as well as the Baltimore region participated in the exercise held in Ocean City ahead of the 2026 hurricane season. 

The exercise scenario was based on a Category 3 hurricane making direct landfall on the peninsula. While the scenario is unlikely, using extreme situations to stress response protocols can assist local officials in identifying critical gaps in planning and capabilities ahead of the emergency. The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and goes through November 30 each year.

“Interagency planning and exercises like the Delmarva Regional Evacuation Coordination effort are foundational work of emergency management. We’re grateful to Maryland’s local jurisdictions, Delaware, and Virginia, who dedicated the time to work with us to update plans and participate in this exercise,” Russell Strickland, Secretary of the Department of Emergency Management said after the tabletop concluded Tuesday.

During the tabletop exercise, local emergency managers and state officials discussed the logistics and practicality of protective actions like evacuations or sheltering options, and assessed how different communities would respond. They also reviewed the available resources each community has to address any gaps ahead of hurricane season. 

“Planning and practicing for a full Delmarva evacuation helps make sure we’re ready to support our local communities when a major disaster happens,” Brian LeCates, Talbot County Director of Emergency Services said. “These exercises give us a chance to work through challenges ahead of time with our local, state, and federal partners across the Delmarva, so we can help keep people safe, informed, and connected when it matters most.”

MDEM will also host a functional exercise which will include the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center later in June. Local and state leaders across the Delmarva region will build on the tabletop exercise and assess capabilities across critical sectors that could be impacted including transportation, public safety, public health and medical needs, communications, and sheltering. The functional exercise will evaluate the need for additional services and resources to be deployed if any of the services are activated.

The plan update, tabletop and functional exercises were funded by FEMA’s Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP). The competitive grant program plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System. RCPGP funding supports the building of core capabilities essential to achieving the goal of a secure and resilient nation by providing resources to close known capability gaps in Housing and Logistics and Supply Chain Management, encouraging innovative regional solutions to issues related to catastrophic incidents, and building on existing regional efforts.

“Programs like the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program are essential because they support planning, training, and exercises like this,” Secretary Strickland said. “These efforts allow us to strengthen coordination, identify gaps, and improve our ability to support communities before a real-world emergency occurs in any of our jurisdictions.” 

Marylanders are encouraged to install the MdReady WebApp, which gives instant access to a wide array of emergency notifications and preparedness information to residents and visitors alike. To install the new WebApp, users can visit MdReady.maryland.gov and follow the prompt to easily add the MdReady shortcut to a mobile device home screen, or to sign up for local text alerts.

For more information, residents can also go to MDEM’s website at mdem.maryland.gov, and follow MDEM’s social media feeds X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social).

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Tags: Emergency Management, evacuation, fema, Hurricane Season, preparedness

Maryland Strengthens Nuclear Emergency Preparedness through PBEX 2026 Exercise

HANOVER, Md. (May 4, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), alongside other state, local, federal, and private-sector partners, successfully completed the biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for the Peach Bottom Clean Energy Center (previously known as Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station) on Tue, Apr 28, 2026. 

The 2026 exercise involved a comprehensive, graded evaluation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). MDEM coordinated the plume portion of the exercise from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in conjunction with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the Maryland Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and local officials from Harford and Cecil Counties. This evaluative training session, commonly referred to as PBEX, assessed the response capabilities of the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone surrounding the facility in Delta, Pa. Preliminary findings from FEMA indicated MDEM had successfully demonstrated all of the graded criteria. Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise. 

“Through exercises like PBEX, we not only measure our preparedness but also sharpen our ability to respond and protect communities during emergencies,” stated Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management, Russ Strickland. “Training remains a priority to ensure our collaboration with regional, federal, State, and local partners is seamless.  PBEX tests our capabilities in high-stress, time-sensitive conditions that demand precision, coordination, and endurance, challenging our personnel to operate at the edge of their limits so they’re ready for any crisis.”

The graded exercise is designed to simulate an event at the plant which ultimately results in radiation release. As the scenario progressed, event participants practiced the protective emergency measures that are needed to protect residents in Hartford and Cecil counties, which are located near the energy center, in the event of an emergency. While this type of scenario is unlikely to occur, it is critical that public safety systems are trained and ready to respond to radiological hazards. 

As part of the graded exercise, state and local partners conducted medical service drills on April 22 at Christiana Union Hospital and on April 23 at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. These drills included EMS assessment, treatment, and transport of patients, as well as hospital emergency department reception, decontamination, and treatment of injured individuals. In coordination with these efforts, Cecil County conducted its drills on the evening of April 22, focusing on emergency worker and vehicle decontamination and radiological monitoring. 

Following the plume phase, MDEM and its partners conducted additional drills on Apr 29, 2026 focused on critical community response tasks, including the activation of reception centers in Hartford and Cecil Counties at Fallston and Rising Sun High Schools respectively. Drills also included school evacuation procedures, and emergency worker monitoring and decontamination. In addition to the graded exercise and related drills, MDEM staff participated in two dress rehearsals with state and local partners earlier this year.

Exercises like PBEX and SAREX reflect MDEM’s continued commitment to training excellence, ensuring personnel and partners remain prepared to respond effectively to emergencies across the State.

MDEM reminds Maryland residents and visitors to always have multiple ways to receive alerts. Marylanders are also encouraged to install the MdReady WebApp, which gives instant access to a wide array of emergency notifications and preparedness information to residents and visitors alike. To install the WebApp, users can visit MdReady.maryland.gov and follow the prompt to easily add the MdReady shortcut to a mobile device home screen.

For more information, residents can also go to MDEM’s website at mdem.maryland.gov, and follow MDEM’s social media feeds X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Instagram (instagram.com/mdmema), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social).

Maryland Strengthens Emergency Communications through Statewide Interoperability Efforts

Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee Reconvenes To Guide Emergency Communications Policy Across Maryland

HANOVER, Md. (April 27, 2026) — The Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) reconvened at Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) headquarters today to set statewide interoperability priorities, identify voice and data communications capabilities and opportunities, and begin the process of revising the 2022 Maryland State Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) in order to advance improvements in communications for Maryland’s emergency responders throughout the state. 

“Today’s meeting was another great step toward ensuring that interoperable public safety communications foster effective preparedness, response, and recovery activities,” said MDEM’s Secretary Russ Strickland. “A resilient Maryland depends on our ability to communicate without barriers during emergencies, and interoperability ensures that responders across agencies and jurisdictions can operate as one team, making faster decisions and delivering coordinated support when it matters most. Through the work of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee and MDEM, we are building a stronger, more connected emergency response system for all Marylanders.”

When Governor Wes Moore signed Executive Order 01.01.2024.20, he reestablished the SEIC and charged it with providing governance for “public safety emergency communications interoperability, and to promote the efficient and effective use of resources for matters related to public safety emergency communications and interoperability.” This action builds on earlier statewide efforts to formalize governance, strengthen coordination among state and local partners, and expand Maryland’s interoperable communications capabilities, positioning the State to advance these priorities through the 2026 Workplan.

“The SIEC will launch the process to revise the 2022 Maryland State Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP),” said Jack Markey, MDEM’s Assistant Secretary and Statewide Interoperability Coordinator. “This process will develop strategic, consensus recommendations to enhance public safety voice and data interoperability, reduce costs and technical risks where possible, and also increase reliability and effectiveness.”

Operational communications form the backbone of emergency management. Responders from different agencies and jurisdictions need to be able to communicate clearly and reliably when it matters most. In Maryland, MDEM provides statewide leadership for interoperability by bringing together local, state, and federal partners to align systems, standards, and planning efforts. This collaborative approach does not involve operating individual communications systems, but instead focuses on ensuring they work together effectively during emergencies. Through this coordination, systems such as the FirstNet Public Safety Broadband Network (FirstNet) and the Maryland FiRST radio system, operated by partner agencies, are better integrated across jurisdictions. The result is stronger coverage, faster information sharing, and more effective response for all Marylanders. 

Be sure to follow MDEM’s social media feeds on X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social).

Sec. Strickland sits with the reconvened Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee to guide Emergency Communications Policy across Maryland.

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Emergency Responders Tested During Regional Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) at Gunpowder Falls State Park

Full-Scale Regional Training Exercise Highlights Coordinated Search and Rescue Operations across Air, Land, and Water

HANOVER, Md. (April 24, 2026) — Emergency responders gathered in Baltimore County yesterday to tackle a series of immersive scenarios designed to test their skills, operational capabilities, and interagency coordination.  Centered around Loch Raven Dam Reservoir and Gunpowder Falls State Park, SAREX 2026 spanned 20 square miles of challenging terrain. The exercise used high-fidelity props to test the technical proficiency of responders, while a mix of mannequins and live role players added a critical human element to the triage process.

Joint exercises like SAREX demonstrate Maryland’s commitment to a coordinated, hazard-agnostic approach to emergency management, said Russ Strickland, Maryland’s Secretary of Emergency Management. “By bringing together partners from across  jurisdictions and disciplines, we are strengthening the relationships, capabilities, and shared understanding needed to protect lives and support communities before, during, and after crises.”

Kiona Black, Exercise Director and Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) Response Coordination Manager added that “working with our emergency responder partners from around the State brings everyone together for a common goal. When large scale emergency events occur, interoperability is key. Having those pre-established relationships and shared training experiences helps us shape a more resilient Maryland.”

“This was more than a training exercise, it was an opportunity to simulate real-world conditions, testing how effectively we communicate, make decisions, and deploy resources during complex incidents,” said Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough. “Events like the Key Bridge collapse and Potomac River mid-air collision have shown no single agency can manage these situations alone.”

During the 12-hour operational period, air, land, marine, and dive resources worked together to accomplish their objectives. Such seamless interoperability is essential during real-world events, helping to build more resilient communities ahead of actual emergencies.

“This type of collaboration between local, state, and regional partners is critical to assess our preparedness level and response capabilities,” said Baltimore County Fire Chief Joseph Dixon, Sr. “The lessons learned today will be incorporated into our planning and contribute to better outcomes whenever and wherever disaster strikes.”

“This exercise demonstrates the necessity of leveraging the capabilities and resources across Maryland, from our State agencies, local jurisdictions, as well as non-governmental organizations, to provide a comprehensive response to catastrophic events,” said Brian Bauer, Director (Acting),  Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) Consequence Management Directorate. “We don’t get to pick where emergencies happen, so training in different locations and working with teams that we may not always get a chance to interact with on a regular basis helps to make partnerships stronger. I thank everyone who attended the exercise, especially those who traveled those longer distances to get here.”

Training and exercises like SAREX are essential to maintaining a coordinated and effective emergency response system. By working together, Maryland’s responders are better equipped to manage complex incidents and support communities across the State.

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CONTACT:
Jim Abels, [email protected], 667-446-0346
Emily Ritter, [email protected], 667-446-0345
24/7 line: 877-636-2872

Public Advisory

WHAT: Regional Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX). This is only an exercise.

• This full scale training exercise will span a 20 square mile area and include coordinated operations by responders and observers in aircraft, on the ground, and on the water—including divers operating underwater.
• Props and simulated structures will be placed throughout the area in the days leading up to the exercise. These may appear realistic but they will be clearly marked. Please do not tamper with or disturb these items for your safety and the safety of responders.
• Residents and visitors should expect an increased presence of emergency personnel, Maryland National Guard aircraft, emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and rescue boats throughout the exercise area.
• Gunpowder Falls State Park and Loch Raven Dam recreational areas will remain open during this training event. Members of the public may observe activity from a safe distance but should not interfere with operations

WHERE: Loch Raven Dam Reservoir, Big Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder River, Gunpowder Falls State Park, and Hart Miller Island.

WHEN: 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2026.

THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO:

• Recognize that this is only an exercise. Some scenarios, props, and responder actions may appear realistic.
• Do not fly drones in or near the exercise area. Unauthorized drone activity poses a safety risk and may disrupt operations.
• Use caution in recreational areas, especially near the Hammerman Beach area and surrounding waterways, where active training will occur.
• Follow all directions from exercise personnel, who will be clearly identified by safety or exercise vests.
• Do not approach or interfere with responders, equipment, or active training scenarios.

WHO: Emergency responders from around the state will be gathering at Gunpowder Falls State Park for an immersive training experience that will test their skills, training and endurance as they work together to respond to complex incidents in a simulated real-world training environment.

To learn more about this event, please visit this link to view a short overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FKqw6yaabo

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CONTACT:
Jim Abels, [email protected], 667-446-0346
Emily Ritter, [email protected], 667-446-0345
24/7 line: 877-636-2872

Be #MdReady: Maryland Severe Storms Awareness Week Focuses on Spring Hazards

Maryland Department of Emergency Management and National Weather Service Encourage Preparedness and Tornado Drill Preparation

HANOVER, MD (April 6, 2025) — April 6-12, will be recognized as Severe Storms Awareness Week (SSAW), a statewide initiative to help residents prepare for the wide range of dangerous weather hazards that impact Maryland each spring and beyond. This year’s theme is “Be MdReady: Resilience Starts With You!” SSAW will once again include a Tornado Drill: The Great Maryland Twister Test. Each day of the week will highlight a different severe weather threat common to the region, along with safety guidance and reminders based on real events that have affected Maryland communities. 

“Maryland residents, schools, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to review their emergency plans this week and participate in the tornado drill at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. “Now is the time for all Marylanders and visitors to take action,” said Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management, Russ Strickland. “Participate in The Great Maryland Twister Test, review your emergency plans, and set up multiple ways to receive alerts through the MdReady WebApp and local text notifications. Being prepared today can save lives, minimize disruption, and help our communities stay safe and recover faster when severe weather strikes.”

This year’s Severe Storms Awareness Week also marks the rollout of Maryland’s Resilient Maryland Strategy, a long-term roadmap for building resilience statewide. The Resilient Maryland Strategy serves as the State’s first comprehensive, whole-of-government roadmap to strengthen disaster and climate resilience, aligning and advancing Maryland’s many existing plans under a single, unified vision. The strategy outlines 20 goals and 50 recommendations—31 of which can begin immediately using existing resources—across five key sectors: environment and natural systems, housing, community and local government capacity, food systems, and critical infrastructure. 

It takes an all-hazards approach, addressing risks such as flooding, severe storms, and extreme heat, while accounting for the increasing impacts of climate change. “As a former local emergency manager, I know firsthand the weight of trying to protect a community while navigating a fragmented landscape of resources and rising risks,” said Maryland Chief Resilience Officer, Mike Hinson. “The strategy helps Maryland adopt a proactive, unified defense against disasters. It’s about ensuring that every jurisdiction—no matter how small—has the technical support and strategic backing to thrive in the face of disasters and climate change.”

“This strategy is a clear commitment to every Marylander that their government is prepared to adapt, withstand, and swiftly recover from any disruption to daily life,” said Maryland Chief Sustainability Officer, Meghan Conklin. “By moving beyond traditional silos and focusing on place-based strategies, we are ensuring that Maryland isn’t just surviving emergencies—such as those posed by climate change—but thriving in spite of them. We are building a state where our strategies are as inclusive as they are robust, with a relentless focus on safeguarding our most vulnerable communities.”

The strategy builds on and complements existing efforts—including the Next Generation Adaptation Plan, State Hazard Mitigation Plan, and Climate Implementation Plans—while going further to provide a streamlined, action-oriented framework. Ultimately, it ensures a more coordinated, proactive approach to resilience, helping protect Marylanders and communities from current and future hazards.

That coordinated approach to resilience comes to life during Severe Storms Awareness Week, with each day focused on a specific hazard:

• Monday, April 6: Flooding
• Tuesday, April 7: Damaging Winds
• Wednesday, April 8: Tornadoes & The Great Maryland Twister Test Tornado Drill
• Thursday, April 9: Hail
• Friday, April 10: Lightning

MDEM will be coordinating with the NWS Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office, which covers most Maryland jurisdictions; our colleagues at NWS Mount Holly (PA), which covers Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties; and NWS Wakefield (VA), which handles Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. James E. Lee, Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office, noted that “a significant part of Maryland’s weather-related damage comes from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The National Weather Service typically identifies these weather hazards minutes in advance, and immediately issues weather warnings for Marylanders to take action. It is vital that Marylanders receive our warnings quickly, and rapidly respond to get out of harm’s way. Maryland Severe Storms Awareness Week reminds people to develop their family weather safety plan, and practice this week in order to be ready.”

While residents and organizations practice preparedness on the ground, MDEM staff and partners reinforce training through exercises that strengthen coordination and response capabilities. Recent efforts have focused on State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activation, information sharing, and resource coordination, using scenarios based on flooding, winter storms, and nuclear power plant incidents to reflect the range of hazards facing Maryland. Such a training occurred this past Wednesday at MDEM headquarters, where MDEM staff led a Maryland Qualification System credentialing exercise using a tornado scenario, bringing together 15 participants, one observer, and 11 evaluators from organizations across the State. Participants were assigned to an Incident Management Team and evaluated on their ability to perform key roles and responsibilities during a simulated multi-operational period incident within an eight-hour operational period.

MDEM reminds Marylanders that our State faces a complex array of hazards—from the immediate risks of flash flooding and severe storms to the growing threats of extreme heat and cyber disruptions. Addressing these challenges requires more than just state-level planning; it requires a unified front.

Severe Storms Awareness Week reminds us that collaboration between emergency management professionals and every Maryland resident is what makes our State truly resilient. By preparing together, we ensure that everyone is #MdReady. Resilience Starts With You!

For more information, visit our Severe Storms Awareness Week page : https://mdem.maryland.gov/Pages/severe-storms-week.aspx. To find more preparedness information for severe storms and other hazards, please visit the following websites: mdready.maryland.gov/know-the-threats/Pages/default.aspx, weather.gov/safety, or ready.gov. Be sure to follow MDEM’s social media feeds on X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social). 

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CONTACT:
Jim Abels, james.abels@maryland.gov, 667-446-0346
Emily Ritter, [email protected], 667-446-0345
24/7 line: 877-636-2872

Maryland 9-1-1 Board Recognizes Susan Greentree with the 2026 Steve Souder Lifetime Achievement Award

HANOVER, MD (March 26, 2026) — The Maryland 9-1-1 Board today recognized long-time public safety stalwart, Susan Greentree, with the Steve Souder Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has “displayed significant dedication and leadership in advancing the 911 system” in the State of Maryland, as well as to those who have assisted with the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems.

“The Steve Souder Award is named after a true pioneer in our field, and it requires a recipient who leads with both vision and grit,” said Russ Strickland, Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management. “This award not only recognizes Sue’s long career as a 9-1-1 specialist and supervisor on the front lines, but also her extraordinary dedication to enhancing the entire State’s 9-1-1 system through policy and advocacy work at the State and national level. Sue’s commitment to improving 9-1-1 ensures our systems will save lives for decades to come.”

Mrs. Greentree has been involved with the 9-1-1 system for more than 35 years. During her tenure as a police communications administrator and fire communications official on the front lines of emergency calls in Anne Arundel County, she spearheaded significant advancements and improvements in the field. 

In addition to her service at the local level, Mrs. Greentree also dedicated much of her time to shaping state 9-1-1 policies. She represented the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials on the Maryland 9-1-1 Board for more than 20 years, providing critical 9-1-1 Trust Fund stewardship and a voice for 9-1-1 specialists at the State level. Mrs. Greentree was also appointed as a member of The Commission to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 as a representative of the Maryland 9-1-1 Board, and she routinely provided testimony and letters of support for legislation that advances the career and the community to which  she has devoted her life. She is also a past president of the Maryland Chapter of the National Emergency Numbers Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of 9-1-1 operations, technology, education, and policy issues.

Maryland State Senator Cheryl C. Kagan noted, “How fitting that the fabulous Sue Greentree, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in 9-1-1 leadership and who has spent more than 35 years serving 9-1-1, was honored with the Souder Lifetime Achievement Award (the first presented to someone not named Steve Souder!) in recognition of her dedication to and impact on our emergency response system.”

The Maryland 9-1-1 Board was the first of its kind in the country, bringing together diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts to coordinate the enhancement of county 9-1-1 systems across the State. The Maryland 9-1-1 Board ensures an effective, innovative, and efficient 9-1-1 system for all of Maryland by leading, educating, and collaborating with stakeholders, partners, counties, and communities. The Steve Souder Lifetime Achievement Award is named for current Maryland 9-1-1 Board member Steve Souder whose tireless advocacy and leadership has shaped Maryland – and the nation’s – 9-1-1 system for more than 50 years. 

For more information about MDEM and the Maryland 9-1-1 Board, residents can visit MDEM’s website at mdem.maryland.gov, and follow MDEM’s social media feeds X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Instagram (instagram.com/mdmema), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social).

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CONTACT:
Jim Abels, james.abels@maryland.gov, 667-446-0346
Emily Ritter, [email protected], 667-446-0345
24/7 line: 877-636-2872