Emergency Management Archives

USDA Designates Nine MD Counties as Drought Disaster Areas

Ongoing dry conditions during the growing season led the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to designate nine Maryland counties as drought disaster areas. Allegany, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington counties qualify for assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Eligible farmers may apply for FSA emergency loans. The agency reviews each application based on the farm’s specific circumstances and needs. Farmers have eight months from the disaster designation…

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April 22, 2026

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2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 448th legislative session unfolded under significant fiscal pressure. Lawmakers closed the fiscal 2027 gap, preserved reserves, and fully funded principal commitments, such as the Blueprint, but did not resolve the larger structural deficits projected for the years ahead. That budget pressure shaped debates across nearly every policy area, from…

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April 17, 2026

Emergency Management / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s advocacy in emergency services policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Emergency services are a cornerstone of county government, encompassing fire and rescue operations, emergency medical services, and 9-1-1 call centers that residents rely on in moments of crisis. Counties are on the frontlines of these efforts, coordinating rapid response systems and disaster preparedness across diverse communities. Through its advocacy, MACo works to secure sustainable funding,…

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April 15, 2026

County News / Emergency Management / Public Safety and Corrections

Anne Arundel Opens New Crownsville Fire Station

Anne Arundel County has placed the new Crownsville Fire Station 6 into service, marking a transition in how the surrounding community is served. The 22,000+ square-foot facility, located at Sunrise Beach Road and Generals Highway, replaces the former Herald Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, which has now closed after years of service. The new station is designed to improve both response capabilities and firefighter safety. It will house multiple units, including Engine 6, Tanker 6, Medic…

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April 2, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / General Assembly News / Intergovernmental Relations

Conduit Street Podcast: Puzzle Pieces of the Balanced Budget

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson break down where Maryland’s budget and “Big BRFA” stand as the General Assembly enters its final weeks. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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March 27, 2026

County News / Emergency Management

New Leadership for Frederick Fire and Rescue

Frederick County has tapped a seasoned public safety leader to guide its volunteer fire and rescue services, a critical role as counties continue to navigate recruitment, retention, and operational demands. The County Council confirmed the appointment of Jason Blake as Director of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services on March 17, 2026. From the county press release: “Jason Blake’s extensive background in fire and rescue services demonstrates his expertise in the field and his…

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March 25, 2026

County News / Education / Emergency Management / News You Can Use

Training Tomorrow’s First Responders Today

Counties across the country are struggling to recruit the next generation of firefighters, dispatchers, and law enforcement officers. One Florida county is taking a different approach, building that pipeline before students even graduate high school. In Okeechobee County, public safety career programs are giving students hands-on training and early exposure to careers in fire rescue, 911 dispatch, and law enforcement. The programs are embedded directly into the school day through career and technical education (CTE)…

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March 24, 2026

County News / Emergency Management / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / News You Can Use

General Assembly Advances County Emergency Management Priorities

Two priority bills for county emergency managers are advancing in the General Assembly, both focused on stabilizing funding and bolstering long-term preparedness amid federal uncertainty. HB 953 has passed the House and now moves to the Senate. This bill authorizes transfers from the Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund, providing flexibility when disasters create immediate costs that counties must cover before federal aid arrives. The fund helps bridge that gap when costs…

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March 23, 2026

County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

Queen Anne’s Announces County-Wide Public Safety Peer Support Team

Queen Anne’s County recently announced the launch of the County-Wide Public Safety Peer Support Team, an initiative designed to strengthen the emotional well-being and resilience of public safety peers across the county. “As First Responders, we’re trained to step into chaos and bring calm — but no one teaches us what to do with everything we carry afterward. This peer support team is our way of saying that the people behind the uniforms deserve the…

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March 19, 2026

Emergency Management / MACo Testimony

MACo Supports Flexibility To Bolster State Disaster Recovery Fund

On March 10, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 953 – Revenue Stabilization Account - Transfer of Funds - State Disaster Recovery Fund. This bill authorizes the governor, with the Board of Public Works's approval, to transfer funds from the Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF), strengthening Maryland’s ability to respond when disasters impose immediate costs on communities. By providing greater flexibility to reinforce…

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March 19, 2026