The Board's five members are appointed by the County Council for three-year terms. An additional two members are appointed as alternates (County Code, secs. 15-14 through 15-17).
The Detention Center originated as the County Jail, constructed in 1881, and formerly the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office. Opened in July 1992, the Detention Center replaced the County Jail.
Across from the District Court, the Detention Center houses convicted inmates, as well as persons awaiting trial. The Center is divided into nine units that can house up to 148 inmates, and consists of minimum and maximum security wards, and work-release housing.
Appointed by the Governor, the Director oversees the Department.
The Department is comprised of Emergency Medical Services, and two divisions: Emergency Management, and 911 Communications. The Emergency Services Advisory Board assists the Department.
Annually, the Board reports on its activities to the County Council.
Fifteen members constitute the Board. Ten voting members are appointed by the County Council, and five nonvoting members serve ex officio (County Code, sec. 24-11.3 through 24-11.5).
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
911 COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
Members of the Committee are appointed by the State Emergency Response Commission on recommendation of the County Council. Officers are elected by the Committee to two-year terms (Committee Constitution & By-Laws, Article 2, sec. 1).
The Deputy State Fire Marshal is appointed by the State Fire Marshal (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 6-303).
Disaster preparation, response, and recovery are conducted by the Emergency Management Division. The Division develops and maintains the County's disaster response plans, and coordinates federal, State and local responders during emergencies.
Operating from five stations throughout the County, Emergency Medical Services maintains seven advanced life support units to meet emergency medical needs. Emergency Medical Services also maintains equipment for special operations, such as contamination incidents, or mass casualty. During extreme weather conditions, the agency offers rapid deployment tents which are temperature controlled to provide relief for residents in need.
The 911 Communications Division receives all 911 calls in the County, and dispatches and coordinates responders to meet residents' needs. The Division also handles nonemergency communication for local volunteer fire and emergency medical companies, the Sheriff’s Office, and municipal police departments.
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE
Created under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, the Local Emergency Planning Committee develops, maintains, and annually reviews the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan for the County. The Plan is a comprehensive list of chemicals and materials used in the County that could pose environmental or personal health risks. Morevoer, the Committee conducts a Hazard Analysis Survey to analyze available County resources and response readiness. Records regarding the Response Plan and the Survey are maintained by the Committee, which provides public access to records as requested (42 U.S.C., sec. 11001(c); Committee Constitution & By-Laws, Article 1, secs. 2-4). In addition, the Committee advises and makes recommendations to the County Council and the Emergency Management Division on matters related to emergency preparation.
FIRE MARSHAL
For the Upper Eastern Regional Region of Maryland (Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s & Talbot counties), the Deputy State Fire Marshal serves as an assistant to the State Fire Marshal, and is responsible for fire safety in the Region. The Deputy oversees the investigation and enforcement of laws regarding arson; fire prevention; the installation and maintenance of fire detection and extinguisher equipment; the availability and adequacy of fire exits at public and commercial establishments; and the storage; sale, or use of explosives and combustibles (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 6-305).
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