Read more about the article Anne Arundel Secures Nearly $5M in Federal Funding for Firefighter Staffing
County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management
Anne Arundel Secures Nearly $5M in Federal Funding for Firefighter Staffing

Anne Arundel County received a $4.97 million federal grant to support 26 additional EMT/firefighter positions over three years, expanding emergency response staffing and advancing the County's long-term service planning. The funding comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, which helps fire departments increase or maintain the number of trained frontline firefighters serving their communities. The 26 additional positions will support the Anne Arundel County…

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October 14, 2026
Read more about the article Apply for the MD Firefighters Innovative Cancer Screening Program RFA
County Budgets / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources
Apply for the MD Firefighters Innovative Cancer Screening Program RFA

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is issuing Requests for Applications (RFA) for a grant program designed to help local fire departments and volunteer fire companies access innovative cancer screening technologies. Through the Maryland Volunteer and Professional Firefighters Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program, the Department's Prevention and Health Promotion Administration (PHPA) will provide grants to support the procurement and administration of cancer screening tests that are not commonly offered as part of routine physical examinations…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Strengthens Emergency Response Partnership With Red Cross
County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Risk Management
Anne Arundel Strengthens Emergency Response Partnership With Red Cross

Anne Arundel County and the American Red Cross have formalized an expanded partnership to strengthen coordination before, during, and after local emergencies. Anne Arundel County and the American Red Cross signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining how the organizations will coordinate on emergency preparedness, sheltering, mass care, disaster response, and recovery. The agreement expands collaboration among the County’s Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department, and Red Cross teams, with an emphasis on joint…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Federal Uncertainty Lingers Over 2026 Emergency Management Grants
County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use
Federal Uncertainty Lingers Over 2026 Emergency Management Grants

Maryland’s fiscal 2026 homeland security and emergency management grants are moving forward, but questions remain over the federal terms and conditions attached to the funding. FEMA has released the fiscal 2026 Emergency Management Performance Grant and Homeland Security Grant Program award packages. MDEM must accept the EMPG award by November 9, and the HSGP award by November 24, and the Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the terms and conditions for both programs. EMPG…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Proposes New Department as Third Branch of Public Safety
County News / Emergency Management / Public Safety and Corrections
Baltimore Proposes New Department as Third Branch of Public Safety

Baltimore City officials have introduced legislation to establish a Department of Neighborhood Safety, creating a third branch of the City's public safety system focused on violence prevention and alternative responses to certain nonviolent 911 calls. The proposed Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS) would operate alongside the Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services. The department would formally incorporate the work of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) into the…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick County Teams Fire, Solid Waste Divisions To Tackle Lithium-Ion Battery Risks
Emergency Management / Environment / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management
Frederick County Teams Fire, Solid Waste Divisions To Tackle Lithium-Ion Battery Risks

Frederick County is bringing together its fire and rescue and solid waste teams to address growing public safety risks from improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries. The Frederick County Divisions of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) and Solid Waste and Recycling (DSWR) are launching a joint initiative to help residents safely handle and dispose of lithium-ion batteries, which can pose fire risks in homes and throughout the waste collection system. Lithium-ion batteries are found in everyday electronics…

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September 24, 2026
Read more about the article Harford Taps Real-Time Weather Data To Strengthen Emergency Response
County News / Emergency Management / Environment / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Risk Management
Harford Taps Real-Time Weather Data To Strengthen Emergency Response

Three locations in Harford County have joined the Maryland Mesonet, giving county emergency officials access to more localized, real-time weather data to help prepare for and respond to severe weather. The network's weather stations, known as mesonet towers, measure conditions including temperature, wind speed and direction, rainfall, and soil moisture. Harford County Emergency Services can use the information to monitor changing conditions and make more informed decisions before and during weather-related emergencies. The statewide network…

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September 24, 2026
Read more about the article FEMA Lifts Holds on 2025 Homeland Security Grants, MDEM Review Continues
County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use
FEMA Lifts Holds on 2025 Homeland Security Grants, MDEM Review Continues

FEMA has removed federal programmatic and financial holds affecting portions of Maryland’s federal fiscal 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program, allowing the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to move forward with subawards and final project reviews. The change applies to National Priority Area and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities funding under the FFY25 program. MDEM will now review each subrecipient’s complete project portfolio before determining which projects can move forward with reimbursement assurances. As previously reported…

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September 23, 2026
Read more about the article Local Governments Sue DHS Over Election Rules Tied to Homeland Security Grants
Elections / Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Local Governments Sue DHS Over Election Rules Tied to Homeland Security Grants

Four local governments have sued the US Department of Homeland Security over new election-related conditions attached to federal homeland security grants, the latest challenge to requirements that have already raised concerns in Maryland. Harris and El Paso Counties in Texas, Nashville and Davidson County in Tennessee, and Columbus, Ohio, filed the lawsuit on August 17 in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The local governments argue DHS and the Federal Emergency Management…

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August 24, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Appoints Anne Arundel Emergency Manager Preeti Emrick to State Preparedness Workgroup
Preeti Emrick (photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County)
Emergency Management
MACo Appoints Anne Arundel Emergency Manager Preeti Emrick to State Preparedness Workgroup

MACo has appointed Preeti Emrick, Director of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management, to represent Maryland's county emergency managers on a State workgroup examining emergency management funding, homeowner's insurance, and disaster preparedness. The workgroup was established by SB 739 / HB 1219 (Chapter 696 of 2026), legislation MACo supported after county emergency managers identified stable and predictable funding as one of their highest legislative priorities. The study will examine how Maryland funds emergency…

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August 5, 2026
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