{"id":17030,"date":"2018-11-30T16:16:52","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T21:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mema\/?p=17030"},"modified":"2018-11-30T16:16:52","modified_gmt":"2018-11-30T21:16:52","slug":"fema-state-continue-building-resiliency-in-maryland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2018\/11\/30\/fema-state-continue-building-resiliency-in-maryland\/","title":{"rendered":"FEMA, State Continue Building Resiliency in Maryland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n

\n

\"FromREISTERSTOWN, Md. (November 30, 2018)\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/strong>The State of Maryland and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) understand the importance of risk reduction and vulnerability identification before a disaster strikes. On November 29 \u2013 30, 2018, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), FEMA, the United States Department of Energy, and the National Governors Association met with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan\u2019s Executive Council at the Maryland Resilience Retreat. These partners came together to build an interdisciplinary understanding of resilience and identify how Maryland\u2019s state agencies can leverage programs and relationships to reduce statewide risk and advance resilience.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur administration recognizes the importance of preparedness in the event of an emergency,\u201d said Governor Larry Hogan. \u201cThe Maryland Resilience Retreat is an opportunity to both learn and share best practices and knowledge surrounding effective emergency management. Being prepared is a shared responsibility, and Maryland will continue to embrace our leadership role as a national model for resiliency and security.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emergency managers want Americans to understand that emergencies can happen at any time with little to no warning. Major events like hurricanes arrive with advance notice, and they bring along the potential for devastating effects. Conversely, flooding events, the most common disaster across the United States, can happen with no warning.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross Maryland, we have seen the impacts of disasters on our communities,\u201d stated Russ Strickland, Executive Director of MEMA. \u201cEvery incident is different and affects communities to varying extents. We want Marylanders and State officials to understand the risks of natural and human-caused disasters and to take steps to reduce those risks. This knowledge will help shape a resilient Maryland where communities thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

MEMA hosts information on individual preparedness, such as the\u00a0Know Your Zone<\/a><\/em><\/strong> hurricane preparedness and evacuation awareness campaign, and all-hazard stakeholder-specific learning resources, at their website at mema.maryland.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Recent emergencies, such as the California wildfires and recent hurricane seasons, highlight the importance of building a culture of preparedness throughout the Nation. FEMA Administrator Brock Long, FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney, and MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland also met at MEMA to discuss resiliency in the State and the long-term recovery efforts of Maryland communities impacted by disasters.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaryland\u2019s communities are developing their culture of preparedness thanks to MEMA\u2019s efforts and Maryland\u2019s recognition that we must engage with the whole community to instill a true culture of preparedness,\u201d stated MaryAnn Tierney, FEMA Region III Regional Administrator. \u201cIt starts with individuals \u2013 do you have insurance coverage or a plan for how you\u2019ll recover? Do you know what you\u2019ll do in an emergency? That expands to businesses, non-profits, and beyond. A true culture of preparedness starts at the bottom and works its way up.\u201d This collaboration includes FEMA\u2019s continuing support and engagement with the State in recovering from May 2018 flooding events across multiple Maryland jurisdictions.<\/p>\n

There are a wide variety of resources to help individuals, businesses, voluntary and non-profit organizations, and communities to prepare:<\/p>\n