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PUBLIC SAFETY
When can I burn leaves and debris at my residence?
You can burn any time after 4 p.m. seven days a week EXCEPT during the Calvert County Burn Ban, which lasts from June 1 through September 1 every year AND in locations where there are “Burn Ordinances”, such as the beaches. You must burn away from wooded areas or structures and you must have a water supply nearby. Fires must be attended at all times and must be put out by midnight. Notify the Calvert Control Center (410-535-1600,ext. 2230 or 410-535- 3491) prior to conducting controlled burns in case someone calls 9-1-1 stating that they see smoke in your area.
What do I do if my county water is shut off?
Contact the Water and Sewer Division at 410-535-1600, ext. 2329 or 2211 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
How do I prepare for an emergency or disaster?
You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Have a plan for communicating with your family before, during, and after the event; multiple evacuation routes from your home; re-uniting with your family if you become separated; and contacting someone outside of the area to coordinate communications between you and other family members. Have a supply kit ready that includes: ready to eat foods; enough water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene for three days; at least one change of clothing; medications for you and your family; arrangements for pets, as the available shelters have limited space; sleeping and toiletry needs; flashlights; portable radio; batteries; weather radio; non-portable, plug-in telephone; supplies to fix a hole in the roof or walls, tarps, and nails; cash on hand; etc.
What are the Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio stations for Calvert County?
WMDM 98.3 FM, Mechanicsville
WKIK 102.9 FM & 1560 AM, California & La Plata
WPRS 104.1 FM, La Plata
WSMD 97.7 FM, Lexington Park
WPTX 1690 AM, Lexington Park
WCEM 106.3 FM & 1240 AM, Cambridge
WAAI 100.9 FM, Cambridge
What is CodeRED and how can I receive messages from CodeRED?
CodeRED is an emergency telephone notification system that rapidly calls registered telephones (including cell phones) with an emergency and/or informational message. It can be used to alert citizens of criminal events, missing persons, shelter and disaster supply information, as well as other information during an event. Messages will only be sent to citizens who have registered to receive the messages (Calvert County residents only). There are several ways to be included in the calling system: register online using the Calvert County Web site home page link, call the Emergency Management Division at 410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2638, or sign up at fairs and other special events in the county, such as National Night Out where we have registration forms available.
What should I do if I hear the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) sirens?
First, ensure it actually is the CCNPP sirens that you hear. You will be able to identify the CCNPP siren if you are outside and you hear the same sound coming from several directions. Once you have established that it is the CCNPP siren, go back inside and listen to one of the EAS radio stations. Emergency Management will use the CodeRED system to provide current information via the telephone.
What should I do if I hear announcements from the Cove Point Liquid Natural Gas Plant?
The announcements you may hear from Cove Point are for on-site personnel ONLY. If there is a need to provide information to citizens near the facility, CodeRED and the EAS radio stations will be used to provide that information. If needed, we may use vehicles with loudspeakers to broadcast critical information to those areas.
Does Calvert County provide any services for special populations and their needs?
The Emergency Operations Center maintains a special needs list of citizens who require special needs or care, as the three primary shelters have minimum ability to support special needs that have been identified.
Does Calvert County have any warning system to alert citizens of impending severe weather?
Calvert County does not have a warning system to provide accurate and immediate warnings for severe weather. Severe weather arrives in either rapid onset and delayed onset. A rapid onset event such as a tornado will occur with little, if any, notice and much difficulty describing where the tornado is and the path it will take. The best method of notification of this type of onset is through the National Weather Service warning system, which is accessed by NOAA weather radio. A delayed onset event such as a hurricane will have significantly more lead time and gives us a better capability to provide information via EAS radio systems, CodeRED, Comcast Channel 6 and other methods.
How do I register for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training?
Contact the Emergency Management Division by calling 410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2302 or sending an e-mail to oem@co.cal.md.us to register for the 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
How do I get Potassium Iodide (KI) and how does it work?
Potassium Iodide (KI) is distributed by the Calvert County Health Department and is available by calling 410-535-5400 and selecting Option 6. You will need to provide your address, which must be within the 10-mile zone of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and the number of adults and children that live in the household. KI saturates the thyroid with non-radioactive iodine and prevents it from absorbing radioactive iodine.
Where are the shelters located in Calvert County?
There are three main shelters. The most northern location is Huntingtown High School; the central location is at Calvert High School and the southern location is at Southern Middle School. Secondary shelters may be opened depending on the event and needs. Secondary shelters would include the remaining high schools and middle schools within the county. We will notify citizens of the shelter locations, as well as when the shelters will open via CodeRED and other media sources.
What should I do if there is an extended power outage?
In the event of an extended power outage, the Calvert County Emergency Operations Center may open mass care shelters as needed. You will need to bring some supplies with you including toiletry items, change of clothing, sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, snack foods, and any medications you take.
What is the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and what will it do for me?
The EOC is a type of command center where representatives from various organizations come together to help manage an incident that is beyond the “normal” ability of emergency services to handle. It allows greater coordination of services and the ability to request services from the state or federal governments and other states.
What does “Shelter in Place” mean?
Shelter in Place is used in situations when it is safer to stay in your home than to attempt to relocate. If conditions make it dangerous to remain outdoors, citizens may be advised to shelter in place, or stay home until the situation passes.
What do I do with my pets in an emergency event?
Make arrangements ahead of time for your pets. Calvert County has limited ability to house domestic pets (cats and dogs) at the Calvert Career Center as long as the pet owners are staying at the Calvert High School shelter.
If I know of someone who does not have a telephone, radio or television, what should I do?
Be a good neighbor and relay any emergency information to them. You can also encourage them to contact the Calvert County Emergency Management at 410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2638 to register for special needs in the event of an emergency.
Where do I get sand bags and sand?
Sand bags can be purchased by various vendors, but the Emergency Operations Center does have some sand bags available for residents who live in flood prone areas of Calvert County. Requests for sand bags should be made in preparation for an impending storm or event where a significant surge is expected. There are a number of bags we maintain to ensure they are immediately available when the advanced notice is minimal. Sand will be made available in identified locations at the same time sand bags are made available.
How can I become a Fire-Rescue-EMS volunteer in Calvert County?
Simply complete our online application at http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/safety/fire/getinvolved/applications or call one of the volunteer stations and request an application.
Where can I find phone numbers for local fire departments?
The phone numbers to all of the departments can be found at http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/safety/fire/volunteer/
Do you have to be a firefighter to become a volunteer?
No. There are also other opportunities to volunteer with the Fire-Rescue-EMS departments that do not require becoming a firefighter. Only two of the nine stations require a person to be both EMT and Firefighter qualified.
Do I have to ride the ambulance to become a volunteer?
No. There are several fire stations that allow you to operate within the fire department without having to ride in an ambulance.
What benefits might I receive if I became a Fire-Rescue-EMS volunteer?
A list of benefits Fire-Rescue-EMS volunteers may be entitled to is available at http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/safety/fire/getinvolved/
If I have an alarm system in my home or business, am I required to register it with the county?
Yes, all locations that have an active alarm, regardless of whether or not they are monitored, must register with the Calvert County False Alarm Reduction Unit. For more information visit http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/safety/falsealarm/alarm%5Finformation/
Must all alarm business owners with clients in Calvert County register with the False Alarm Reduction Unit?
Yes, all alarm companies that conduct business within Calvert Countyare required to register with the Calvert County False Alarm Reduction Unit regardless of how many clients they have within the county. For more information visit http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/safety/falsealarm/alarmbusinesses/.
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