Emergency Preparedness

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) works with national, state, and local partners to ensure public health needs are addressed in the community’s preparation for and response to emergencies and disasters. SMCHD’s Emergency Preparedness & Response Division promotes community preparedness in regards to public health. This includes planning for and responding to public health and medical emergencies, including potential or actual incidents requiring a coordinated response. SMCHD activation status levels are based on the National Incident Command System:

Normal (Green): Routine operations
Enhanced (Yellow): The incident requires additional monitoring and resources.
Partial (Orange): The incident requires significant monitoring and resources.
Full (Red): The incident requires extensive response and recovery efforts.

SMCHD Current Activation Status:

COVID-19

Opioid Epidemic

Hepatitis

Mpox

Emergency Preparedness Hot Topic: Frostbite and Hypothermia

Be Prepared – What Can Community Members Do?

Preparing your home and family ahead of time for common emergencies and disasters can increase your personal sense of security and peace of mind. Furthermore, when an emergency strikes, knowing what to do can save time, property and most importantly, lives.

Stay Informed

Know what potential disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate.

Learn what to do before, during and after different types of emergencies.

Plan Ahead

Discussing the following questions with your family, friends, or household can help you develop an emergency plan.

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?
Are there any special considerations for my family (children, seniors, pets, medicine, etc.)?

Once you have a plan, practice it with family members. Then, prepare an emergency kit – Just in case! For more information about emergency preparedness, call 301-475-4316. For more information on emergency preparedness, call (301) 475-4330.

Planning Resources

Preparedness Information – By Topic

[otw_shortcode_button href=”https://www.ready.gov/cybersecurity#:~:text=Protect%20your%20home%20and%2For,statements%20and%20credit%20reports%20regularly.” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Cyber Security[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://mdem.maryland.gov/Pages/resources-Heat-and-Drought.aspx” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Extreme Heat[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://mdem.maryland.gov/Pages/resources-Floods.aspx” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Floods[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://mdem.maryland.gov/Pages/resources-hurricane.aspx” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Hurricanes[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/index.htm” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Nuclear/Radiation Emergencies[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://smchd.org/staging-demo1/ki/” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Potassium Iodine/KI[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://smchd.org/staging-demo1/emergency-preparedness/tornado/” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Tornadoes[/otw_shortcode_button] [otw_shortcode_button href=”https://smchd.org/staging-demo1/winter-weather/” size=”large” icon_type=”general foundicon-plus” icon_position=”right” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-brown” target=”_blank”]Winter Weather[/otw_shortcode_button]