Emergency Preparedness

Public Health Preparedness Program

Mission: To prepare and respond to natural and man-made public health emergencies including, but not limited to:

severe weather conditions
bioterrorism
disease outbreaks
radiological/nuclear hazards

Medical Reserve Corps-Volunteer or Request Volunteers

flood, health worker in protective equipment, lightening, snowstorm

Each month HCHD will bring you information and resources about different hazards and how to be prepared to respond.

Hazard of the Month: Power Outage Safety

Energy supply and delivery are threatened by extreme weather, sea level rise, droughts, wildfires, and other climate-related hazards. These changes damage infrastructure and have profound effects on human lives and livelihoods, with already-overburdened communities bearing a disproportionate share of the risk.

Power outages are common throughout Maryland. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management provides power outage reports throughout Maryland that are updated every 15–30 minutes via utility providers.

It’s important to plan now and prepare for an unexpected loss of power.

What to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly

If the power goes out:

Report the power outage to your utility company
Monitor weather reports
Turn off or disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges
If safe, go to a location for heat or cooling. Check your local government information for possible shelters opened. A friend’s place, local mall, or library are often good places to weather the storm.
Check on your neighbors

Food & Water Safety

Food Safety during Power Outages video.

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.
After a power outage, never taste food to determine its safety. You will have to evaluate each item separately-use the following chart as a guide. When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

When the power goes out, your drinking water supply may be impacted depending on the source of your water and the type of system. It’s important that you take steps to prevent illness from unsafe water. Use Safe Water During an Emergency

Cooking When the Power Goes Off

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled. During power outages, avoid the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, or cooking inside the home, as they can cause CO to build up.

Never use charcoal or gas grills indoors
Generators should be at least 20 feet away from the home, including carport/garage.
When cooking is not possible, many canned foods can be eaten cold.

Medical Needs

Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life. For people with disabilities, it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters.

FEMA: Personal Preparedness: I Use a Wheelchair video

FDA: Home Use Devices: How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices that Require Electricity booklet

Notify your electric company and fire department to let them know you have a medical device that needs power (e.g., ventilator, apnea monitor).
Read your user instructions or call your distributor or device manufacturer to find out if your device can be used with batteries or a generator.
Obtain a generator if possible.
When the power is restored, check to make sure the settings on your medical device have not changed (often medical devices reset to a default mode when power is interrupted).

Resources

American Red Cross:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage
FEMA:
Howard County Health Department:
Maryland Department of Emergency Management: Maryland Power Companies
Maryland Department of Health: Food Safety Tips After a Power Outage
U.S. Food & Drug Administration: Food Facts: Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods
Weather.gov
- Winter Safety

Be Prepared

Let's Get Started

General Preparedness Information

Extreme Hot and Cold Weather Conditions

Hurricanes, Storms and Floods

Influenza (Flu)

Zika Resources

Bioterrorism Agents & Diseases

Additional Resources

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Colder weather often yields temperatures that can be dangerous after long periods of exposure, if proper precautions are not taken. Some of the dangers associated with winter weather include hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and injuries from heat sources.

Frostbite is the freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.

To protect yourself and your family in cold weather follow the below tips:

Cover your head.
Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer
Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
Be alert to other common winter hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and injuries from heat sources. CO is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Go here for CO poisoning prevention tips.
Equip your vehicles with items such as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a snow shovel. More information about cold weather.

Additional Resources about Cold Weather Safety:

Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677 or visit grassrootscrisis.org.

Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps

How can YOU help in an emergency?
Become a Howard County Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer

The Howard County Medical Reserve Corps (HCMRC) Program is volunteer organization created in July 2002. Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers can be medical and public health professionals or community members with no healthcare background.

This organization prepares for and responds to extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, blizzards, and floods, as well as other emergencies affecting public health, such as disease outbreaks.

The MRC also plans community health activities that promote healthy habits.

For more information or questions, contact Randell Young at 410-313-7237 or via email.

Request MRC Volunteers for your organization's public health event

Howard County MRC volunteers may be able to assist your organization with an upcoming event. Complete this request form to let us know what your needs are and you will receive a response within 72 hours from our team with the next steps. Submissions must be completed at least 2 weeks before the event. Questions should be emailed to hocomrc@howardcountymd.gov.

Criteria to qualify for MRC assistance:

The requesting agency provides a service which promotes or supports public health initiatives in Howard County.
The event for which assistance is being sought does not conflict with other planned HCMRC activities.
The requesting agency’s mission may not conflict with the mission of the HCHD, or the HC MRC.

Examples of Public Health Initiatives: