MDEM Newsroom - Page 51 MDEM Newsroom
Traffic Advisory: Viewing and Funeral for Trooper First Class Shaft Hunter
May 26th, 2011(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police, Baltimore County Police, and State Highway Administration personnel are coordinating traffic operations plans, but motorists should be aware of potentially heavy traffic and traffic delays associated with the viewing, funeral, and funeral procession for Maryland State Police TFC Shaft Hunter.
VIEWING: Beginning Thursday afternoon and lasting until 9:00 p.m., motorists should be aware of heavier than normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area of the Vaughn Green Funeral Home, in the 8700-block of Liberty Road at Brenbrook Drive in Randallstown. Pedestrians will be crossing Brenbrook Drive and Liberty Road. Baltimore County Police and Maryland State Police will be on-scene to assist.
FUNERAL: On Friday beginning at 8:00 a.m., motorists should be aware of heavier than normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Old Court Road from Liberty Road to the New Antioch Baptist Church in the 5600-block of Old Court Road. At about 9:00 a.m. on Friday, police will close northbound Old Court Road from Windsor Mill Road to Liberty Road. The northbound roadway is expected to remain closed until 2:00 p.m. Southbound Old Court Road will remain open.
The funeral of TFC Hunter will begin at 11:00 a.m. and is expected to conclude at about 1:00 p.m., although a longer service is possible. It will take about 30 minutes for those attending to return to their vehicles and the procession to be ready to begin.
PROCESSION: The funeral procession is expected to begin leaving the 5600-block of Old Court Road between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The procession will head northbound on Old Court Road to Liberty Road. It will proceed east on Liberty Road to I-695. Upon entering I-695 west, the procession will head toward I-83.
The procession will take I-83 north and turn east on Padonia Road. The procession will end at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Police will be closing intersections and ramps momentarily as the procession moves along the route to the cemetery.
The interment at Dulaney Valley is expected to end sometime between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Motorists in the Timonium area should expect heavier than normal traffic through rush hour Friday.
Governor Conducts Hurricane Preparedness Exercise
May 25th, 2011
Cabinet Level Secretaries Participate and Discuss Maryland’s Response
BALTIMORE, MD (May 24, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley hosted a Cabinet level exercise yesterday designed to ready all State agencies and test preparedness for
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| Governor Martin O’Malley, Chief of Staff Matt Gallagher and MEMA’s Executive Director Richard Muth listen intently as Hurricane Preparations are discussed with The Governor’s Cabinet. |
Maryland’s hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA),which oversees all-hazards disaster planning for the state, designed the exercise, which involved a Category 3 hurricaneimpacting Maryland’s coastline and then moving inland. “We designed the scenario to be as real as possible where each
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| Meteorologist Chris Strong of the national Weather Service provides the 2011 Hurricane Prediction briefing to members of the Governor’s Cabinet during the 2011 Hurricane Preparedness exercise. |
player has an active role,” said MEMA’s Executive Director, Richard Muth, a former local emergency manager with first-hand experience during 2003 when Tropical Storm Isabel wreaked havoc in Baltimore County. “It is important we test our response to what we could see in a real world event so our senior leaders know what to expect and how to respond, and that we interact and meet key leaders who will be making decisions during a critical event.”
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| Joshua Sharfstein, Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stresses a point during the Governor’s Cabinet Level Hurricane Preparedness Exercise. |
Muth explained that when conducting these exercises, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer and not everything is absolute. “Each storm is different and we have to respond according to the path of the storm and the challenges it presents,” Muth said. “Adapting our plans, being flexible, thinking outside of the box are all steps we must be willing to take to effectively manage any disaster,”
Muth said, adding, “Most importantly, too, is whether it is the state, a specific agency or a family – you must have a plan.”
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| Members of the Governor’s Cabinet met in Annapolis on May 23, 2011 to discuss hurricane preparedness and response. |
Plans give you guidance, Muth said, and can be scalable and flexible to any event. But if you are going to be successful, Muth explained, then not only must you have a plan but you should test it.
Today, he noted, was all about testing those plans and meeting key decision makers. “You do not want the day an event like this occurs to be the first day you see the plan or have interacted with other state agencies”, Muth said.
Maryland’s Hurricane season begins June 1 and the National Weather Service is predicting an active season with potentially 12-18 named storms impacting the Atlantic. For more information about preparedness for hurricanes and other disasters go to www.mema.state.md.us. Follow MEMA on TWITTER at www.twitter.com/mema_feeds.
How To Help Tornado Survivors in Joplin, Mo. or Other States
May 25th, 2011To help manage the generous outpouring of support for Joplin, Mo., tornado survivors, disaster recovery experts have established some simple ways to help, whether volunteering or making donations.
Along with our partners at the Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, here are some specific ways to help those impacted by the recent storms and tornadoes.
Donate or Volunteer
- The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency hasestablished a web portal to coordinate donations and volunteers. Keep in mind that cash is the preferred method because it offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover as well.
- Those in Missouri can also call 2-1-1 in most areas for information on volunteering their time or making a donation. This 2-1-1 service, operated by the United Way, is available through much of Missouri. For those who are out of state or unable to get through on 2-1-1, call 1-800-427-4626. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering can go online at www.showmeresponse.org
Remember, unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
Sheltering
- Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 2-1-1, or 800-427-4626, or go towww.redcross.orgfor a list of open shelters. For individuals with a hearing loss, call 7-1-1 or use Video Relay Service to reach 2-1-1 or 800-427-4626.
Helping survivors in other states
- For those who have been affected in Minnesota or other states outside Missouri or those who want to help can visitwww.fema.gov/howtohelp.
Other Resources
If you or someone you know is looking for a friend or relative who may have been affected the storms, visit www.Redcross.org/safeandwell.
MEMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Summer Storms as Annual Hurricane Season Begins on June 1
May 23rd, 2011REISTERSTOWN, MD (May 19, 2011) – Hurricane season begins June 1, and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to take steps now to prepare for severe summer weather. Preparations for hurricanes will also serve residents well in the case of tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms and other events that could impact the state.
Now is the time to make sure you have properly stocked disaster supply kits, a good family disaster plan and consider purchasing flood insurance. Also consider purchasing a weather
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| Richard Muth and WMAR ABC 2News Morning Show host Charley Crowson discuss Hurricane Preparedness Week and have on display several items citizens should consider when making a disaster preparedness kit. |
radio or regularly monitor radio and television news and weather forecasts to be alert to potential severe conditions. Already this spring, Maryland has experienced an unusual number of tornadoes (fortunately none with serious damage) and rain.
“It’s been more than seven years since we experienced major damage from a tropical weather system,” said MEMA Executive Director Richard Muth, referring to the remnants of Hurricane Isabel that struck Maryland in 2003. “Even though you may think we are not likely to get hit with another hurricane in the near future, it’s important to remember that many of the same steps you should take to protect your family from a major event like a hurricane could be helpful for dealing with more common emergencies like flash floods, tornadoes, even things as common as extended power outages.”
National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 22-28, and the National Weather Service just released their 2011 Atlantic Season Hurricane Outlook. For information about National Hurricane Preparedness Week, please visit the National Hurricane Center website athttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/prepared_week.shtml.
For more information about preparedness in Maryland, visit MEMA’s website at http://www.mema.state.md.us. On that page you will find preparedness information for hurricanes and other hazards that can affect Maryland. You also can download a copy of our Maryland Natural Hazards Preparedness Guide. If you do not have internet access or would like to order additional copies of our preparedness guide, please contact Ed McDonough at 410-517-3632.
The web site includes detailed information about putting together a family emergency plan and what to put in a disaster supply kit.
Residents also should consider purchasing flood insurance now in case of summer storms. Homeowners and renters insurance typically does not include flood damage, and claims cannot be filed until 30 days after the premiums are paid. For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program, please visit www.floodsmart.gov.
Drivers also are reminded not to drive through standing or running water on a roadway. As little as 6-12 inches of running water can move a vehicle downstream.
For more information about severe summer weather, please contact Eddie Hopkins at 410-517-3615 or 410-422-7561 or Ed McDonough at 410-517-3632 or 410-446-3333.
New York City Unveils First in the Nation Public Safety System; Enabled Mobile Devices Will Receive Emergency Alerts at Critical Moments with Potentially Life Saving Messages
May 11th, 2011NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, and top executives from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile & Verizon announce PLAN at World Trade Center site in New York City
New York, N.Y. — Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, top executives from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon and others convened at the World Trade Center site to announce PLAN–the Personal Localized Alerting Network. PLAN is a free service that will allow customers with an enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. This service will be available in New York City by the end of 2011, at least two calendar quarters before the rest of the nation.
PLAN ensures that emergency alerts will not get stalled by user congestion, which can happen with standard mobile voice and texting services. Authorized government officials can send messages, which participating wireless providers then push using their cell towers to enabled mobile devices in a targeted geographic area.
“In both the public and private sectors, I’ve always believed in the need to harness technology in new ways, including ways that its designers hadn’t anticipated. The City’s opt-in Notify NYC system is a great example of that: it alerts people to dangers and delays via email and mobile devices, and it has become a national model of emergency communication,” said New York City Michael Bloomberg.
“But given the kinds of threats made against New York City at the World Trade Center, Times Square, and other places popular with visitors and tourists, we’ll be even safer when authorities can broadcast warnings to everyone in a geographic area regardless of where they came from or bought their phone,” Mayor Bloomberg continued. “I want to congratulate FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for this quantum leap forward in using technology to help keep people safe.”
“Following the devastating tornadoes in the Southeast, we are witnessing yet again the critical role the public plays as part of our nation’s emergency management team. Making sure that they get useful and life-saving information, quickly and easily, right on their mobile phones, will help more people get out of harm’s way when a threat exists,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate. “This new technology could become a lifeline for millions of Americans and is another tool that will strengthen our nation’s resilience against all hazards.”
“Communications technology – and in particular mobile broadband – has the potential to revolutionize emergency response,” said FCC Chairman Genachowski. “Our communications networks need to be reliable and resilient in times of emergency. The FCC is working with carriers to ensure that they are.”
When PLAN is operational, customers in an area affected by an emergency who have a PLAN-capable mobile device will receive an alert of ninety characters or less. Consumers will receive three types of alerts from PLAN: (1) alerts issued by the President; (2) alerts involving imminent threats to safety of life; and (3) Amber Alerts. Participating carriers may allow subscribers to block all but Presidential alerts.
In 2006, Congress passed the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act, requiring carriers that choose to participate to activate PLAN technology by a deadline determined by the FCC, which is April 2012. Participants that will offer PLAN at least two calendar quarters ahead of schedule in New York City are AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Ninety percent of New York subscribers who have a PLAN-capable mobile device in these cities will be able to receive PLAN alerts by the end of 2011.
For more information on PLAN visit blog.fema.gov/2011/05/plan-another-part-of-publics-emergency.html
Hurricane Hunter visits Maryland
May 11th, 2011MEMA, the National Weather Service and St. Mary’s County Partner to Raise Awareness for Hurricane Preparedness
Reisterstown, Maryland (May 10, 2011) The Maryland Emergency Management 
Agency (MEMA), the National Weather Service and the St. Mary’s (MD) County Office of Emergency Management recently hosted a visit by a Lockheed WP-3D P3 Orion “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft at the Patuxent Naval Air Station in St. Mary’s County. The event, held on May 3rd, was designed to encourage the public to visit, tour the aircraft and speak with the crew about their duties and learn about the tools the NWS uses to monitor, and track hurricanes. Dozens of school children, their teachers, parents, elected officials and 1stResponders all came to view the aircraft nicknamed Kermit after a character in the Muppets. Several speakers, most notably Craig Fugate the Director of FEMA, welcomed the crowd and not only spoke about the technology involved but more importantly that citizens must 
be prepared. Technology will tell us it’s coming, he explained but it doesn’t prevent the storm from occurring and emphasized all citizen must be ready to react and respond.
Richard Muth, Executive Director of MEMA, also strongly encouraged citizens to be prepared. “Hurricanes are a destructive force”, Muth said, adding, “But there effects can be mitigated and injury and death reduced if people prepare before the storm.” The key, he offered, is awareness. “Technology, such as the Hurricane Hunter, can provide us a great deal of information about a pending storm”, Muth said. “But it is up to the citizens to pay attention to that detail and other reliable news and weather sources and take the appropriate actions before
the storm so they are properly prepared when the storm occurs,” he concluded.
The aircraft remained at the base for the day before traveling to their next destination. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service deploys this aircraft to different cities at the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season to encourage family preparedness. The season begins on June 1st and runs through the end of November each year.
For more information about the aircraft log on to www.aoc.noaa.gov. Additional information about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness can be found at www.weather.gov and www.mema.state.md.us. Follow MEMA on TWITTER at www.twitter.com/mema_feeds
Maryland Issues Public Awareness Guidelines for Suspicious Powder Incidents
May 6th, 2011Incidents Occurred in Washington DC but State Officials Want Marylanders to be Prepared
REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND (May 6, 2011). On Thursday May 5, 2011, Maryland’s law enforcement, emergency management, health and school officials were made aware of a series of letters containing an unknown powder had been delivered to public schools in Washington D.C.
Police are investigating these crimes and to date initial tests have found no toxic substance in the items delivered to the schools and there have been no incidents reported to state officials in Maryland. However, officials recognize that Maryland residents, including those who work in Washington, may have questions and concerns.
“Upon learning of these events yesterday, State law enforcement, emergency management, health and education officials initiated a series of meetings throughout the day and evening reviewing our preparedness and response strategies,” said Richard Muth, Executive Director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. “We believe this is an effort to instill fear and disrupt the daily lives of those who receive these packages,” said the Director, adding that, “Maryland is prepared to respond and we can reduce that fear by raising awareness and informing our citizens to be prepared for how to react should this same scenario occur in their community,” he concluded.
Police say if you receive a suspicious package to stop and not handle it any further. They recommend the following web link and actions:http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/mailsecurity/security.htm
- Call 911
- Alert others about the package
- Isolate the package and leave the area
Some potential indicators of a suspicious package include but are not limited to:
- Incorrectly addressed
- Excessive tape
- No return address
- Misspelled words
- Restrictive markings
- Rigid or bulky
- Oil stains and/or strange odors.
- Excessive postage
Health officials from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have provided the following guidance to assist Maryland residents:
1. Telephone 911 immediately if you receive a suspicious package or letter.
2. Do not open, smell, or taste.
3. Wash your hands immediately with soap and water
4. No preventive antibiotics are recommended at this time for persons potentially exposed to these letters.
For additional preparedness actions and information go to
http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness or MEMA’s web site atwww.mema.state.md.us. Follow MEMA on TWITTER atwww.twitter.com/MEMA_feeds
Suspicious Powder Informational Documents:
DHMH: White Powder Letters in Washingtion DC (PDF 74.21 kb)
MCAC: Awareness Bulletin (PDF 221.99 kb)
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance on Agribusiness Security
May 4th, 2011ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 3, 2011) – “In light of recent events and the start of a new growing season, this is a good time to remind farmers and agribusinesses of on-farm biosecurity measures and to double check that they are in place. I encourage farmers and agribusinesses to be aware of their surroundings, remain alert and vigilant in implementing routine security measures.
Farmers should maintain biosecurity procedures to protect the health of livestock by taking common sense precautions to prevent the transmission of disease. Agribusinesses, especially those who sell, distribute, transport, store, or apply pesticides, should review their security risks, needs and heighten their critical security control points. Should you experience a breach in security, pesticide or application equipment theft or if suspicious activity occurs, you should report these incidents to your local police department.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with Maryland Law Enforcement agencies advises that homeland security begins with hometown security where an alert public plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe. If You See Something/Say Something – report any and all suspicious behaviors and situations to local law enforcement. Report Homeland Security threats to the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center at 1-800-492-TIPS.
Police and emergency management officials ask that citizens familiarize themselves with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Terrorism Advisory System, which replaces the former color-coded alert system. Citizens can find information on the new terror alert system at:http://www.mema.state.md.us/MEMA/content_page.jsp?TOPICID=ntas.”
Gazette.Net: Law Enforcement Officials Increase Patrols Following Bin Laden Death
May 3rd, 2011Marylanders encouraged to report suspicious activity
While there have been no direct threats to Maryland or the state’s infrastructure following the slaying of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, policy and safety officials are stepping up patrols and reviewing security plans.
Sgt. Jonathan Green, spokesman for the Maryland Transportation Authority police, said patrols will be increased at the Port of Baltimore and Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport after President Obama’s announcement Sunday of bin Laden’s death. Travelers, however, will be relatively unaffected by the increased security, Green said.
“They won’t see any significant impact to travelers and airline schedules,” Green said. “Certainly our No. 1 goal is going to be safety; at the same time, they’re both large facilities.
Green and other security officials acknowledged the potential for counterattacks from people sympathetic to bin Laden, who was killed Monday (Pakistani time) in a U.S. raid on a compound in the suburbs of Islamabad.
“Obviously, all of our officers are aware of what happened; there is a heightened awareness. In both cases [of the port and airport], there is no indication of any specific threat,” Green said.
The Maryland Emergency Management Administration has spent time since the announcement of bin Laden’s death reviewing its anti-terrorism policies.
“We’re not trying to scare that public, but we are trying to take stock of the plans we’ve had in place for many years,” said Edward Hopkins, director of external affairs for MEMA.
In conjunction with bolstered security, Hopkins said his agency is encouraging Marylanders to be aware of any suspicious activity.
“The main things we’re focusing on right now is vigilance,” Hopkins said. “We want Maryland residents to remain vigilant.”
The link to this story is:http://www.gazette.net/stories/05022011/polinew183529_32548.php
Maryland Residents Urged to be Vigilant
May 2nd, 2011In light of the death of Osama Bin Laden, The Maryland Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with Maryland Law Enforcement agencies, has recommended the following protective action and awareness recommendations to all Maryland residents.
The law enforcement intelligence community has assessed that the death of al-Qa’ida (AQ) leader Osama Bin Ladin could result in retaliatory attacks in the Homeland and against US and Western interests overseas and therefore not only Maryland, but all US citizens should remain at a heightened state of vigilance.
Police and First Responders emphasize citizens should remain alert and aware at all times. If You See Something/Say Something – REPORT any and all suspicious behaviors and situations to local law enforcement. TheIf You See Something, Say Something campaign underscores the concept that homeland security begins with hometown security where an alert public plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe.
Report Homeland Security threats to the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center at 1-800-492-TIPS.
Police and emergency management officials ask that citizens familiarize themselves with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)—a robust terrorism advisory system that provides timely information to the public about credible terrorist threats and replaces the former color-coded alert system. The National Terrorism Advisory System will provide the American public with information about credible threats so that they can better protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Citizens can find information on thenew terror alert system here.
The Department of Homeland Security does not intend to issue an NTAS alert at this time. DHS has been clear since announcing NTAS in January that they will only issue alerts when they have specific or credible information to convey to the American public.
NTAS alerts provide a concise summary of the potential threat including geographic region, mode of transportation, or critical infrastructure potentially affected by the threat, actions being taken to ensure public safety, as well as recommended steps that individuals, communities, business and governments can take to help prevent, mitigate or respond to a threat. NTAS Alerts will include a clear statement on the nature of the threat, which will be defined in one of two ways:
- “Elevated Threat”: Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States
- “Imminent Threat”: Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States
Depending on the nature of the threat, alerts may be sent to law enforcement, distributed to affected areas of the private sector, or issued more broadly to the public through both official and social media channels—including a designated DHS webpage (www.dhs.gov/alerts), Facebook, and via Twitter @NTASAlerts.
Remember….Be Alert…..If You See something….Say Something…..