Risk Management Archives

Queen Anne’s CERT Program Trains 10 New Community Responders

Ten residents graduated from the Fall 2025 cohort of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, managed by the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services, which concluded on October 28. The class was held weekly, spanning eight evenings in September and October, at the Queen Anne’s County Library Kent Island Branch in Stevensville. Participants learned how to become better prepared and how to help until professional first responders arrive for situations ranging from day-to-day…

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November 20, 2025

County News / Information Technology / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Cybersecurity, AI Bots & Public Records: What Counties Need to Know

In this week's episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Karrington Anderson talks with Sarah Sample to break down the rapidly evolving world of Public Information Act (PIA) requests in Maryland and why counties are feeling the pressure. 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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November 14, 2025

County News / Environment / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning / Risk Management

Protecting Infrastructure Through Local Resilience for National Stormwater Day

November 16 is National Stormwater Day - a time to recognize how local actions can make a lasting difference in protecting Maryland’s waterways and communities. Stormwater is the water that runs off impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roads, and rooftops. As it flows, it can collect pollutants, including bacteria, nutrients, and debris, that eventually make their way into local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Beyond pollution, excess stormwater can lead to flooding, damage…

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November 6, 2025

County News / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / Risk Management

Maryland Launches Cybersecurity Disclosure Program Covering State and Local Systems

The State of Maryland has implemented a new cybersecurity program that gives security researchers and the general public a legal pathway to report cybersecurity vulnerabilities in web-facing State of Maryland IT systems and websites. Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs) are widely used by the federal government and private sector to identify vulnerabilities before threat actors use them to breach IT systems and websites. While some state governments have limited VDPs, the State of Maryland’s is one…

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October 30, 2025

County News / Environment / News You Can Use / Risk Management

Wandering Maryland’s Waterways: Smart Stormwater Solutions

Local leaders are invited to participate in an immersive, one-day learning experience focused on smart stormwater management. This event will demonstrate how effective stormwater management can protect communities, bolster local economies, and enhance environmental resilience. About The Event Wandering Maryland’s Waterways, hosted by the Maryland delegation of the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) to the Chesapeake Executive Council, will take participants on a guided bus tour across Prince George’s County on Friday, November 7, 2025,…

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October 7, 2025

County News / Emergency Management / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Risk Management

Howard Opens Largest Flood Mitigation Pond Under Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Serena McIlwain and other state and local leaders to cut the ribbon on the H-4 Flood Mitigation Pond, a critical Ellicott City (EC) Safe and Sound project. As previously covered on Conduit Street, Ball announced the EC Safe and Sound plan in December of 2018, just weeks after taking office. This is the third and largest retention pond to be substantially…

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September 11, 2025

County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Risk Management

Talbot Firefighters Gain New AeroFit System for Safer, Smarter Mask Testing

Talbot County firefighters have received a brand new AeroFit testing system, a device that delivers precise, OSHA-compliant fit tests for N95 respirators, elastomeric masks, and other protective gear. The equipment, fully funded by the County, was purchased to reduce costs for local stations and increase safety for emergency responders. From the county press release: “Providing our firefighters with the right tools is critical,” stated Jimmy Eason, President of the Talbot County Volunteer Fire & Rescue…

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September 11, 2025

County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Montgomery Announces New Streamlined Process for Fire Code Compliance Permits

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is streamlining the permitting process for applying and renewing annual fire code compliance (FCC) permits online. From the county press release: “It is important that business owners maintain their fire protection systems and renew their FCC permits online each year,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “This new DPS process is designed to be more efficient for customers and staff. Ensuring commercial buildings are compliant with fire…

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September 4, 2025

County News / Human Resources / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management / Summer Conference

Supporting Those Who Serve: The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care

When tragedy strikes, it’s often the first responders—police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and others—who arrive first on the scene. While they work tirelessly to support our communities, who supports them when the emotional and psychological toll becomes too much? Recently, several experts and advocates came together to highlight the importance of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), trauma-informed care, and proactive mental health support for those on the front lines. The Honorable Senator Cheryl Kagan moderated an…

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August 20, 2025

County Budgets / County News / Emergency Management / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Parks and Recreation / Risk Management

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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July 17, 2025