The Office of Emergency Management is seeking input for the 2025 update of the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. According to Anne Arundel County, this update will target identifying and reducing risks from natural and man-made disasters to safeguard life and property. The goal is to amp up the county's disaster resilience, spurring a quicker recovery flow post-disaster and promoting safer construction practices in vulnerable areas.

Anne Arundel County's website reported that the office's director, Preeti Emrick, emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, "We can’t create an effective hazard mitigation plan without the help of our residents, community members, workers, and businesses.” Emrick encourages locals to share their insights and concerns, which could be pivotal in sculpting a well-tuned plan for the area's specific needs and risks.

Engagement opportunities are abundant: Residents can participate in public meetings, fill out surveys, sign up for email alerts, follow the office's social media channels, and spread the word. The public survey, in particular, is designed to be a quick, approximately 10-minute touchpoint for residents to voice their concerns regarding local hazards. All these efforts converge on the goal of knitting a community fabric resilient enough to withstand the uncertainties cast by nature and human error alike.

To reach a broad audience, the county uses different methods to gather input, including in-person and virtual meetings. Officials encourage residents to discuss the plan with friends and family to spread the word and benefit the community. If you have questions, you can email the emergency management team. You can also find the current 2018 plan and updates for 2025 on the county's website. The Office of Emergency Management provides materials in various formats and offers support through Maryland Relay 7-1-1 for TTY users.