Charles Awarded Grant for Innovative Stormwater Pocket Park

The Charles County Resilience Authority, in partnership with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, and the Department of Planning and Growth Management, has announced the award of a $438,000 grant for the construction of the Waldorf Elite Gymnastics Stormwater Pocket Park. From the county press release:  “We’re excited about the Stormwater Pocket Park at the Waldorf Elite Gymnastics Center, which will transform unused space into vibrant green space for our residents. This project supports…

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Streamlined Aid Now Available for Allegany Flood Survivors

In response to the devastating flooding that occurred on May 13, 2025, Allegany County, working in close coordination with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and the Allegany County Department of Social Services, has launched a single, combined application to streamline aid for affected residents. This comprehensive application is designed to connect residents with various disaster recovery funds through a single form. Eligible applicants may qualify for assistance such as: Appliance replacement Vehicle insurance deductible…

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County Webinar: Harnessing AWARE Flood Sensors via NACo PPP

Discover how counties can deploy the AWARE Flood System—rugged, solar-powered IoT sensors available through the competitively bid NACo Public Promise Procurement Safeware contract—to turn rising water into actionable intelligence. This webinar will demonstrate how each lightweight node tracks depth, temperature, and barometric pressure, pushes real-time alerts over cellular or Iridium satellite link, and keeps reporting for seven days even without sunlight. Learn the simple “piggy-back” procurement steps inside Public Promise Procurement (PPP), funding streams that…

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Calvert Earns CRS 7 Ranking, Reducing Flood Insurance Rates

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announces Calvert County has earned a Class 7 rating under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS).  The CRS program offers reduced flood insurance rates to communities that take action to become more resilient to flooding. Calvert County’s new rating qualifies most policyholders for a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. The BOCC adopted the 2024 Calvert County Flood Mitigation Plan as an amendment to…

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County Attorneys Focus on Building Respect and Collaboration With State Agencies

County attorneys shared time with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Planning, and Maryland Supreme Court members during the 2025 MACo County Attorneys Affiliate Conference. The Maryland Association of County Civil Attorneys, also known as the MACo County Attorneys Affiliate, hosted their 2025 County Attorneys Conference at Turf Valley Resort in Howard County with a full agenda. Affiliate President Roscoe Leslie, Worcester County Attorney, welcomed…

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St. Mary’s Invests in Emergency Water Access for Local Fire Departments

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) has installed the first 30,000-gallon water storage tank to support local fire departments in emergency response efforts. The tank was placed on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in the Porto Bello Subdivision in Callaway, as part of a multiyear capital project in partnership with local fire departments. This initiative will enhance emergency water access by installing water storage tanks and dry hydrants in more isolated…

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Talbot Gears Up for Another Year of Excellence in Emergency Training

Talbot County is once again hosting Winterfest EMS, a premier regional training event for emergency service professionals. Celebrating its 29th year, the conference will run from January 31 to February 2, 2025, offering a robust program of essential training sessions and hands-on workshops. The conference is hosted by Talbot County Department of Emergency Services (DES), with support from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) and their EMS for Children (EMSC) program. Sponsors…

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How to Protect Public Trust Through Clear Communication at #MACoCon

At the 2024 Winter MACoCon, an expert panel explored how county employees can build sustainable public trust through consistent communication. Establishing public trust is crucial to ensuring the public heeds government officials during a crisis. The panelists in this session were: Anna L. Sierra, Chief Development Officer | Legislative Officer, Maryland Department of Emergency Management Bryan P. Sears, Government Reporter, Maryland Matters Scott Peterson, Manager, Media Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Office of the County Executive, Montgomery County With participating moderator, The…

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Risk Management Ensuring Service Continuity and Protecting Public Resources

In today's fast-paced world, public entities face numerous challenges in maintaining the services that citizens rely on every day.  From property damage and work-related injuries to liability claims and automobile accidents, every dollar spent on managing these issues is a dollar diverted away from crucial public services.  This is where effective risk management becomes essential. Risk management is not just about reacting to problems as they arise; it's a structured, proactive process that helps public…

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Anne Arundel Receives Regional Recognition With Platinum Certification for Crisis Intervention

The Anne Arundel County Crisis Intervention Team (“CIT”) Program has been awarded Platinum Level Certification, the highest certification level through CIT International. Anne Arundel County CIT is the only regional program in the world to be awarded a Platinum Certification. The CIT program is a key component of the Anne Arundel County’s Crisis Response System. A CIT Program is a community partnership consisting of law enforcement, behavioral healthcare professionals, and individuals and family members impacted…

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