Mission
" The Cecil County Department of Emergency Services is committed to excellence by providing effective emergency response, a dedicated 911 center, comprehensive emergency management, and community outreach that enhances the quality of life for the community we serve. “

Vision
"Our vision is to be a model of excellence in emergency services, dedicated to community safety and resilience. We aim to foster a culture of preparedness, enhance response capabilities, and build strong partnerships with residents, businesses, and organizations to improve the quality of life for all citizens and visitors of Cecil County."

Values

Embrace Integrity

Commit to Transparency

Promote Teamwork

Encourage Continuous Learning

Uphold Accountability

 

About  

The Director of Emergency Services is recommended by the County Executive and is appointed by the Governor as the “Emergency Manager” for Cecil County. Cecil County Department of Emergency Services has many internal entities that provide services to Cecil County, Maryland.

The 9-1-1 Communications Center is staffed with call takers and dispatchers, who work 12-hour rotating shifts, 365 days per year. Some dispatchers specialize as police dispatch and fire dispatch roles, while performing their essential duties. Each of the 9-1-1 Specialists are certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) obtained through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. Our Communications Center has state-of-the-art radio and telephone technology, along with mapping, computer aided dispatch and a variety of communications computer software.

Cecil County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operates Advanced Life Support quick response units 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to supplement the response of our 9 volunteer fire departments. Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art emergency care with skill, compassion and dignity to the citizens and visitors of Cecil County who are ill or who have been injured. We have been proudly providing service for 30 years, starting in September 1988. Cecil County EMS responds to approximately 15,000 calls annually.

The Cecil County Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT) was formed in July 2002 to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials that could threaten the health and safety of our citizens as well as their property and the environment. The HAZMAT Team is comprised of twenty (20) highly trained hazardous material technicians and a chemist. The group trains as a team at least once a month to maintain their readiness to respond 24 hours a day. Regular drills and exercises are used to demonstrate the team's competencies and evaluate their ability to contain, mitigate and safely remove hazardous materials.

The Emergency Management Operations Division is comprised of career staff. Personnel not only develop plans for emergency response to known natural, man-made, nuclear and technological disasters, but carryout those plans and to assess the readiness of the Division. When the emergency operations center is activated, becomes the coordinating strategic communications focal point for all agencies that have response responsibilities during an event or incident that poses a risk to life and property.

Electronic Division provides electronic services to internal staff, Cecil County Sheriff's Office and all local fire departments' radio system. The radio system is regulated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and manages the licensing and management of the radio system. This division maintains the 9-1-1 Communications Center system and technology needs. This division also maintains and logs the Knox Box System, which enables the fire department and emergency services access into a building when required. This division maintains and accounts for all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and can assist law enforcement, fire department, hazardous materials and special events when requested. This tool and equipment is required a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 107 Drone Pilot License and completion of a FAA 107 training course. 

The Cecil County Prevention and Overdose Response Team (PORT) is part of coordinated response to overdose in Cecil County. The team consists of the PORT Coordinator from the Department of Emergency Services, with funding and coordination oversight provided by the Department of Community Services. Alongside partners from the Cecil County Health Department and Voices of Hope, PORT provides outreach and support to individuals who have experienced an overdose and to their families. By assessing needs and providing services to the overdose victim AND their family members, the team utilizes a two-generation strategy to reduce substance use disorder (SUD) and childhood trauma. PORT also provides outreach to families who have lost a loved one to a fatal overdose, providing them with support and connecting them to needed resources.

History

Cecil County Department of Emergency Services (formerly Emergency Management and Civil Defense) is the county’s public safety agency responsible for 9-1-1 Emergency Communications, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management Operations, Hazardous Material Response, Homeland Security, All Hazards Planning and Technical Support Services.

The agency was originally established to coordinate civilian preparation for nuclear attack during the mid-20th century. The agency’s director is appointed by the Governor to carryout emergency management initiatives, sanctioned by the federal and state governments. That role expanded to emergency preparedness and planning for natural and man-made disasters that the county faces.

In 1988, the department was assigned the task of establishing an Emergency Medical Services section to supplement the service provided by the county’s nine volunteer fire companies. The county now operates three 24 hour a day paramedic stations, strategically located throughout the county to provide the best response times to medical emergencies.

Over the past thirty years the agency became responsible for the development and maintenance of the county’s emergency communications system used by fire, rescue and emergency medical and law enforcement personnel as well as other county agencies. Public access to the universal 9-1-1 emergency number began in the late the 1970’s. The 9-1-1 Emergency Communications and Technical Support Divisions are assigned these tasks.