COUNTY 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."
