MDEM Newsroom - Page 29 MDEM Newsroom

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO IMPROVE MARYLAND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

REISTERSTOWN, MD  (Nov. 4, 2013) – As part of the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s commitment to homeland security, Governor Martin O’Malley issued an Executive Order today to adopt the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Program (MEPP). The MEPP is the overarching platform to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach to preparedness.

The Executive Order outlines the roles and responsibilities related to the four mission areas used for measuring preparedness — prevention and protection, hazard mitigation, incident response and disaster recovery. The Order is part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve our State’s ability to withstand adverse conditions, both natural and man-made. Under the Executive Order, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Maryland State Police, and other state agencies are charged with fulfilling the activities that support those four core mission areas.

“Our most solemn obligation as public servants is to ensure the safety of our people. Over the last several years, winter blizzards, Hurricanes Irene and Sandy and the derecho storms have given us many opportunities to learn new lessons in safety and preparedness,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Building on those lessons, this new program will help to improve preparedness among individuals, businesses and governments throughout Maryland.”

MEMA is coordinating the new efforts with other state agencies, local partners and the private sector.

“Traditionally, state emergency management agency plans focus on roles and responsibilities during the response phase of an emergency – providing help for local governments and their first responders,” said MEMA Director Ken Mallette. “Now, we will develop robust plans to deal with those other mission areas – recovery, prevention and mitigation’ – so we will be better prepared to serve our residents.”

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For more information, contact MEMA Public Information officer Ed McDonough at410-517-3632 (desk), 410-446-3333 (cell) or [email protected].

MEMA ROLLS OUT NEW MARYLAND PREPARES MOBILE APP

Reisterstown, MD (Oct. 11, 2013) — The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is excited to announce the release of its official “Maryland Prepares” mobile application.  The app provides iPhone, iPad, and Android phone and tablet users the ability to access emergency preparedness information on the go.

“MEMA is excited about the opportunities this new app affords Maryland families for emergency preparedness,” said Ken Mallette, MEMA Executive Director. “Incorporation of this new technology adds another dimension to the State’s ability to help Marylanders stay and be prepared for emergency situations.” 

Maryland Prepares enables families to make a communications plan and assess their disaster supply kit through an interactive checklist. Other features of the app include:

• View emergency preparation guides for different types of emergencies;
• Send an “I’m Safe” message via email, text, and social networks;
• View real-time alerts for emergencies, weather and traffic;
• Monitor current cyber threats and suspicious activity;
• Access Maryland Emergency Management Agency news and events; and
• View current and extended National Weather Service forecasts based on current location.

The app is available for Android users via Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nicusa.MDPrepares) and via the iTunes store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/maryland-prepares/id718996444?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4) for Apple users. The application was developed jointly by MEMA, the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and NIC, which has helped government agencies develop electronic services for 20 years.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kasey Parr, Social Media Coordinator

 K[email protected]; (office) 410-517-5129

Maryland Launches Grant Program for Backup Power at Fuel Stations

In an effort to help Maryland consumers avoid widespread fuel outages in the event of an energy emergency, the state has made available $1.7 million to help service stations install backup power generation.

Kicking off just as the hurricane season enters its typically most active period, the Maryland Service Station Energy Resiliency Grant Program will conclude on June 30, 2014, or until the total funds have been spent, whichever is earlier.

The initiative is the product of a state task force on resiliency measures that convened after 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) included the funds in his capital budget this year.

“We looked at the long lines of customers that formed at service stations in New Jersey and New York and decided we could make a huge difference by being proactive about backup power generation,” MEA director Abigail Hopper told OPIS.

Severe weather events are becoming more commonplace, she said, and helping strategically located service stations to operate during emergencies provides transportation fuel for those who leave as well as fuel for backup power for those who stay.

Unlike New York’s $17 million Fuel NY program, Fuel Up Maryland is not mandatory for stations in areas that have been targeted.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) anticipates dispersing up to $15,000 per grant to a Maryland station, which can be used to offset the cost to purchase or pre-wire portable generators, fixed generators or in-place batteries. According to a survey of stations conducted by an electrical contractor for MEA, $15,000 is about half of the total cost of the planning, design, wiring and installation of back-up power generation at the majority of fuel retail locations in the state.

Stations eligible for the grants should have fuel storage of at least 10,000 gallons, fuel sales of 75,000 gallons or more per year and be located within a half mile of an on- or off-ramp to a federal or state highway serving as an evacuation route.

MEA puts the total number of eligible stations at about 600.

Applicants can submit separate applications for multiple stations, but grant awards will be limited to five applications for individual stations per owner/operator. Award for multiple station applications by a single owner is dependent on the geographic distribution of the stations.

Information on how to apply for the Maryland grants can be found at:
http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/fuelupmd/index.html#requirements

Generator Programs in Other States

Downstate New York stations that are located within a half mile of highway exits or evacuation routes, and that pump 75,000 gal/month or more, have until April 1, 2014 to be wired to accept a generator. Thirty percent of all retail outlets that are part of a chain further than a half mile from downstate New York highway exits and evacuation routes will be required to install a transfer switch by Aug. 1, 2015.

Grants of up to $10,000 per station are available for rewiring if owners opt to use portable generators; awards of up to $13,000 per station are offered for operators who install permanent back-up generators.

New Jersey is still considering legislation proposing a pilot program under which operators of strategically located stations could get interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to wire their facilities for generators. That equipment, with the addition of a portable generator, would power fuel pumps, safety systems and payment acceptance equipment.

In Florida, service stations near interstate highways or evacuation routes, terminals and wholesalers must have transfer switches and appropriate wiring to transfer the electrical load from a utility to an alternate generated power source in the event of power failure. Corporations or entities with at least 10 service stations in a county must have access to at least one portable generator.

Louisiana requires new or completely rebuilt service stations in the southern part of the state to be wired with a transfer switch and capable of switching to an alternate generated power source in the event of a power outage.

Second Annual “Great ShakeOut” Earthquake Drill Set for October 17, 2013

In less than two months, individuals and communities throughout seven states and the District of Columbia will participate in the second Great SouthEast ShakeOut earthquake drill.  Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut is set for Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 10:17 a.m. EDT.  During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”.  Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the proper response to an earthquake is to:

–          Drop to the ground

–          Take Cover under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck

–          Hold On until the shaking stops

Following FEMA’s National Preparedness Month in September, Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are occurring nationwide in more than 40 states and territories.  More than 12 million people are expected to participate in drills on October 17.  In addition to safety drills, many participant take extra steps to become more prepared for earthquakes.

Additionally, ShakeOut comes on the heels of the two year anniversary of the damaging August 23, 2011 M5.8 Mineral, Virginia earthquake which caused considerable damage in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.  Several national landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian Institute, and the National Cathedral are undergoing multi-year restorations as a result of this earthquake.

According to Michael Cline, State Coordinator for Virginia Department of Emergency Management, “What we observed during the Mineral earthquake was that most of us did not really know what to do. We want everyone to remember to drop, cover and hold on” during an earthquake.

Coordinated annually by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) and the states of Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, nearly 2 million people participated in the first Great SouthEast ShakeOut drill in October of 2012.  This year, Delaware and West Virginia are joining the original SouthEast ShakeOut states to promote earthquake awareness and preparedness in their own states.

The goal of the program is to engage participants to take steps to become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.  The drill is free and open-to-the-public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups.  Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills began in California in 2008 and have expanded each year since then.

To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to sign up to participate in the drill by visiting www.ShakeOut.org/southeast Once registered, participants receive information about showcase events in their area and regular information on how to plan their drill and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.

To register for a ShakeOut in other areas of the country, or for more information, visit www.ShakeOut.org.  For information on FEMA’s National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov/.

“Maryland Prepares” Social Media Campaign

During the month of September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security sponsor National Preparedness Month and promote activities that educate the public on how to prepare for emergencies.  This year, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency would like to spend the month of September recognizing individuals, families, and businesses that have been positively impacted by preparing for local disasters and emergencies. We will use our social media platforms to showcase these individuals throughout the month of September.

Participants can share a short story or a video documenting how being prepared has helped them or someone they know through an adverse situation. At the Maryland Emergency Management Agency we recognize that “A Prepared Marylander Creates a Resilient Maryland” and would like to showcase what is being done around the State to make us more prepared.

Throughout the month of August we will be collecting your entries. Please send your story to us via Facebook message, Twitter or email us at [email protected]. If you are emailing us please add “Maryland Prepares” to the subject line. If you tweet your story to @mdmema please include #MDPrepares.  We look forward to seeing your preparedness stories!

https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA

https://twitter.com/MDMEMA

How Prepared is the National Capital Region for the Next Disaster?

MEMA Executive Director, Ken Mallette, testifies before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and the District of Columbia on the National Capital Region’s preparedness.

Hearing Video

Portions of Prince George’s County Face Water Shortage

Laurel – July 15, 2013:  A section of pipe in a vital 54-inch concrete pipeline appears to be failing, and parts of Prince George’s County may be without water for a few days while repairs are made. As a result WSSC is urging customers to begin stocking up on water immediately.  Prince George’s County Emergency Services will be working with hospitals, nursing homes and others to ensure they have access to water.

Some of the communities likely to be affected include Morningside, Hillcrest Heights, Camp Springs, Forest Heights, Temple Hills, and Oxon Hill, including Joint Base Andrews and the National Harbor.  Please check our interactive map (http://gisweb.wsscwater.com/waterrestrictions/) to see if you are in the affected area. If you’re not sure, just type your address in the search box on the upper left side of the page.

WSSC expects to issue mandatory water restrictions for the affected area Tuesday afternoon.  We hope this will buy additional time for residents to stock up on water and allow WSSC to continue filling its system to extend the time we can provide service.

The pipe is Pre-stressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) and located inside the Beltway between Suitland Parkway and Forestville Road.  Our monitoring system has recorded an increasing number of wire breaks in the pipe.  That’s a signal that this type of pipe is beginning to fail.

This pipeline is unique in our system in that there is little or no redundancy that could provide water to customers during repairs.  That’s why it’s likely tens of thousands of our customers in Prince George’s County will lose service for a few days.

We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your patience.

Please visit our website and Facebook page for conservation information during restrictions.

https://www.facebook.com/WSSCWater

https://twitter.com/wsscwaternews

http://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/home.faces

American Red Cross Issues Plea for Blood Donors

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July. “We are counting on generous volunteer blood and platelet donors to step up and give now,” said Page Gambill, CEO for the Red Cross Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region.

More at: http://touch.dailypress.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-76607468/

STATE FIRE MARSHAL SUGGESTS ATTENDING PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

PIKESVILLE, MD (June 27, 2013) – With the arrival of summer, State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard is suggesting that Marylanders should attend public fireworks displays. “I would suggest the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public fireworks displays throughout the state.” stated Barnard. To help Marylanders enjoy a safer summer season, the State Fire Marshal offers several ways to enjoy fireworks while avoiding injury:

• Consider attending one of the numerous public fireworks displays scheduled throughout Maryland every year. Leave fireworks to the professionals. Check the Maryland State Fire Marshal website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal for listed public fireworks displays throughout the state.

For those individuals who insist on the use of consumer fireworks:

• Purchase the fireworks in the location where you intend to discharge them. Check with the local municipality to determine what fireworks are considered legal for use in that area.
• Read and follow label warnings and instructions.
• Do not allow small children to use fireworks.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages while using fireworks.
• Have a bucket of water or hose available
• Fully extinguish remains of fireworks in water before disposal.

“Fireworks have been a long tradition of the 4th of July holiday celebrations. Please make safety your number one priority so everyone can enjoy the holiday season.” adds the State Fire Marshal. “By acting responsibly, we can help eliminate fireworks injuries in Maryland.”

MEMA URGES MARYLAND RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY

REISTERSTOWN, MD (June 12, 2013) – With forecasters predicting a high risk for severe weather over the next two days, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to be prepared for strong storms that might affect the area. Although much of Maryland has a chance of thundershowers today, the National Weather Service says the greatest risk for severe weather in the state will be on Thursday.

Residents are reminded to:

• Make sure cell phones and other portable devices are fully charged and consider purchasing and charging spare batteries.

• Have a disaster supply kit with bottled water, non-perishable food (with a hand-operated can opener), a first aid kit, portable   radio and flashlight with extra batteries, toiletries, special items needed for pets or infants, prescription medicine, a change of clothes and bedding. The kit will be helpful if you have to evacuate quickly or if you are without power.

• Keep some cash available in case ATM machines are not available.

• Have copies of important documents such as home and property insurance policies, driver’s licenses, health insurance cards, etc.

• Know where you would meet other members of your family if your home is not safe.

• Remember that in the immediate aftermath of a serious event, wireless communications systems may be overloaded. Text family members to let them know you are safe so voice calls for emergency agencies can go through.

Follow local weather forecasts in your area for the next two days to learn if there are any warnings in your specific area and take appropriate actions.

The following websites have preparedness information for severe storms and other emergencies:

Maryland Emergency Management Agency: www.mema.maryland.gov. MEMA also is on Twitter @MDMEMA and you may follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.ready.gov

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov