All Hazard Preparedness

Communities are vulnerable to any number of hazards or threatening situations. These can include incidents caused by natural disasters and man-made threats. The term “all hazard” is used to describe these potential situations that can impact you, your family, your home, or our community. In the event of a disaster or emergency situation, individuals and communities may need to be self-sufficient for some time until further assistance from the local, state, and/or federal agencies can be obtained. Preparing for “all hazards” requires knowing your risks and developing emergency plans to use during and after the situation. These efforts will help minimize the impact and protect your family, home, and community.

Weather risks to be prepared for include: 

• Hurricane • Flooding • Wildfire • Thunderstorm • Heat Wave • Winter Storm • Tornado Cell Phone & Regular Phone Service Citizen Notification System 

“Communicator” System. A citizen notification method used to notify the Citizens of Wicomico County of important information in the event of an impending or occurring emergency via telephone communications. The system utilizes telephone company wire line phone listings and addresses to place calls to residences in specific areas or countywide. Note: Telephone companies do not maintain data bases for cellular phones that include address. Therefore, in order for a cellular customer to receive an informational call they must register their cell phone through a Self Registration Portal accessed by visiting the County Department of Emergency Services website: www.wicomicocounty.org/ES. 

Citizen Warning/Alert Siren System 

The warning system is designed to alert residents and visitors of Wicomico County about an imminent hazard to include weather-related dangers such as a tornado warning. The specific emergency alerts will be broadcast over any or all of the 13 sirens located at local fire departments and the two maintained by the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services. Wicomico’s siren system can be activated for either the entire county or for specific affected areas. In the event of an imminent hazard the alert tone – which differs from fire station alarms – will sound for a sustained 2 minutes. When the sirens sound, citizens should seek shelter immediately and then tune into local news media for additional information. Citizens should not call 9-1-1 to determine the hazard causing the activation. 

NOAA Weather All-Hazards Radios (NWR) 

During life-threatening weather conditions, NOAA Weather Radios send out a special alarm tone to signal NWR broadcasts for official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing comprehensive weather and emergency information alerting listeners to take appropriate safety measures. Information about NOAA weather radios can be obtained by visiting the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services website at www.wicomicocounty.org/ES. 

For More Information For additional information about emergency preparedness topics to include weather events such as those cited above, man-made/natural disasters, and public health issues, visit the department’s web page at www.wicomicocounty.org/ES. Presentations on emergency preparedness topics can be scheduled by calling 410-548-4820 or by email: wema@wicomicocounty.org.