Emergency Management

Mission

The mission of the Division of Emergency Management is to minimize the effects of future disasters through mitigation, planning, training and response efforts. The coordination of response agencies during a disaster event and public education and awareness for disaster preparedness is a vital part of these efforts. We ensure the county's state of readiness with the development and maintenance of the emergency operations plans.

In an effort to further define our mission, the Division of Emergency Management will provide assistance in the event of any man-made or natural disaster when:

• The infrastructure is at risk for failure
• The safety of the public is at risk
• When there is a potential loss of public property

Incidents that may involve private property shall be addressed as outlined below. The safety and well-being of the residents, visitors and workers within Calvert County is our primary mission.

Services Provided by During an Emergency

Shelter

• During an evacuation
• During an extended power outage or during a heat- or cold-related event
• If homes have been damaged to the point of being non-inhabitable

Emergency Food and Water

In the event of a catastrophic failure of the infrastructure to supply food and water to the population, food and water obtained from State and local resources will be provided at identified points of distribution.

Sandbags

During an emergency that involves flooding, sandbags will be provided to a level that will mitigate the damage to a person's property.

Coordination of Resources

Through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) the resources necessary to respond to an incident that extends beyond the capability of local resources and normal mutual aid to Calvert County will be completed.

Hazard Mitigation Plan

Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. It is most effective when implemented under a comprehensive, long-term mitigation plan. State, tribal, and local governments engage in hazard mitigation planning to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters, and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. Mitigation plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.

Developing hazard mitigation plans enables state, tribal, and local governments to:

• Increase education and awareness around threats, hazards, and vulnerabilities;
• Build partnerships for risk reduction involving government, organizations, businesses, and the public;
• Identify long-term, broadly-supported strategies for risk reduction;
• Align risk reduction with other state, tribal, or community objectives;
• Identify implementation approaches that focus resources on the greatest risks and vulnerabilities; and
• Communicate priorities to potential sources of funding.

Moreover, a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan is a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. Ultimately, hazard mitigation planning enables action to reduce loss of life and property, lessening the impact of disasters.

Review a copy of Calvert County's Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF) .