HARFORD COUNTY TO RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES
The Harford County Division of Emergency Operations (EOC) will be the recipient of $750,000 in federal funding to help improve communication infrastructure. "Our first responders are the first line of defense against domestic terrorism and threats against our citizens. This federal assistance is vital in helping to improve Harford County’s communication capabilities in day-to-day operations and especially during emergency incidents," County Executive Craig stated.
October 2009
HARFORD COUNTY RESTRICTS THE USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN COUNTY VEHICLES
Harford County Executive David R. Craig has announced the establishment of a policy affecting the use of wireless communication devices while driving. The policy restricts the use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices to those with a hands free headset to transmit or receive calls.
"Distractions to drivers, including the use of cell phones and wireless communication devices are a major cause of motor vehicle accidents," remarked County Executive Craig. "Our goal is to reduce the potential for such accidents by restricting the use of these devices by county personnel who operate county vehicles or their personal vehicle while on county business," stated the county executive.
October 2009
HARFORD COUNTY DIVISION OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS ATTAINS HIGHEST ACCREDITATION
The Harford County Emergency Operations Center located in Hickory, attained the highest accreditation possible, as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for use of its Fire, Police and Medical protocols. The Harford County EOC is only the second center in the world to achieve all three levels of accreditation. The first center to attain the highest level of accreditation was in Alberta, Canada.
"I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Harford County Emergency Operations Center who worked hard to achieve the highest accreditation possible," stated Harford County Executive David R. Craig. "The Harford County EOC has served the citizens of Harford County with excellence and exemplary service for many, many years. To attain this international recognition makes the accomplishment so very special for Harford County," remarked County Executive Craig.
May 2009
HARFORD COUNTY RECEIVES ACE ACCREDITATION FOR FIRE CALL TAKING AND DISPATCH
InterAct Public Safety, a leading provider of safety and security software used by government agencies as well as private sector businesses, announces that one of their customers, Harford County Division of Emergency Operations, has obtained Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) for fire call taking and dispatch. Harford County is one of only eight centers to ever receive such accreditation.
Obtaining ACE accreditation requires months of statistical data, research, documentation, and planning. Once a center applies for accreditation, an NAED auditor reviews the application and checks for Protocol Compliance against randomly selected events - ultimately providing recommendations to the Board of Accreditation. If a center achieves the "Twenty Points" necessary for accreditation, then the center is awarded the honor of being an ACE.
February 2009
HARFORD COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Harford County has announced today that it has implemented a new mass notification service in order to best communicate with residents regarding time-sensitive incidents involving public safety matters. The Connect-CTY service allows county officials to record, send and track personalized voice messages to county residents, businesses, and local agencies in mere minutes, all via a single telephone call. The county will also be able to send text messages to cell phones, PDAs, e-mail accounts, and TTY/TDD receiving devices for the hearing impaired. "We are constantly striving to provide the utmost in public safety to our citizens, and this improved communications system will play a vital element," said Harford County Executive David R. Craig. "The Connect-CTY service will enable us to quickly and accurately send information to residents countywide should the situation arise."
October 2008
COUNTY EXECUTIVE CRAIG FUNDS FLUMIST PROGRAM
Harford County Executive David R. Craig, joined by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas and the Acting Health Officer for the Harford County Health Department Susan Kelly, today kicked-off the start of the FluMist vaccination program in Harford County Public Schools. The kick-off of the FluMist vaccination was held at Churchville Elementary School. "In keeping with our commitment to enhance quality of living and support for public education, we are pleased to provided $150,000 to the Harford County Health Department to support the FluMist Program for the Harford County Public Schools," County Executive David R. Craig stated. "Helping to keep our children healthy during the cold and flu season is essential for their well being and their education," the county executive remarked.
November 2007
HEALTH DEPARTMENT UNVEILS NEW DENTAL CLINIC
Harford County children who may never have had a dental exam now have access to this and other dental services at Harford County Health Department Dental Care in Edgewood. The Health Department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the grand opening of this public health dental clinic, on Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
This public health dental clinic is located at 2204 Hanson Road in the Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center in Edgewood and will provide general and preventive dental care including cleanings, oral examinations, fluoride treatments, fillings and sealants. For the time being, services will be targeted to youth ages 1-18 who are on medical assistance. "The Health Department can now offer dental services to children who may never have received them," states Susan Kelly, Acting Health Officer for Harford County.
November 2007COUNTY EXECUTIVE SIGNS BILL TO IMPROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE BENEFITS
Demonstrating their support for the volunteer fire and rescue community of Harford County, County Executive David R. Craig signed into law Harford County Bill No. 07-46. The legislation, co-sponsored by Council President Boniface and all members of the County Council, changes the eligibility requirements for the volunteer fire fighter Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) and increases the burial benefit to fire fighters. Joined by members of the Harford County Council and the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.
"It is a distinct pleasure to sign into law legislation which truly benefits our dedicated volunteer fire fighters and emergency medical service providers," stated County Executive Craig. "The citizens of Harford County are blessed with some of the best trained, dedicated and conscientious volunteers in the State of Maryland.
February 2006CRAIG ESTABLISHES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO COORDINATE COUNTY'S PANDEMIC FLU PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS
County Executive David Craig today established the Harford County Pandemic Preparedness Coordinating Committee to ensure integrated pandemic influenza preparedness among all county agencies. Currently, there is global concern that the H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu may be the next pandemic flu. While there is no evidence of H5N1 avian influenza in the United States at this time, coordinated planning efforts must be done now for the county to be fully prepared when an influenza pandemic strikes. The purpose of the committee is to ensure that, should a pandemic occur, the county is prepared to coordinate effectively with agencies at the federal, state, and local levels with the goal of protecting the health of all county residents with a well-coordinated, wide-ranging plan.
"In the case of a pandemic flu, it becomes all the more critical since some of the people we count on to provide care may be victims themselves," Craig said. "Planning, practice and preparedness are going to be the keys to making sure our resources are deployed in the best possible way to contain the disease and provide assistance."
