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Carroll County proclaims August Emergency Management Awareness Month; staff outline preparedness events
Summary
Commissioners proclaimed August 2025 as Carroll County Emergency Management Awareness Month and county emergency management staff described outreach, Skywarn training and interagency coordination.
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on July 24 proclaimed August 2025 as Carroll County Emergency Management Awareness Month and heard an overview from emergency management staff about preparedness, outreach and training programs.
The proclamation recognizes the county’s Emergency Management Division and its work to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and large incidents. Valerie Hawkins, director of public safety, and Emergency Management staff emphasized coordination with fire, EMS, law enforcement, public works, public health, schools and voluntary agencies.
Why it matters: Emergency management work is largely “behind the scenes,” staff said, but it is intended to create the systems and partnerships that allow coordinated response when incidents occur.
What staff told the board Valerie Hawkins said the International Association of Emergency Managers recently instituted a national Emergency Management Month and the county is marking the inaugural observance. She said the division maintains primary and alternate emergency operations centers and coordinates planning across disciplines to support preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Ashley Bergen and Jacob Hill, members of the emergency management and communications teams, introduced division staff and noted upcoming engagements: public outreach at community events, the county’s participation in the Aging Your Way expo in September and a free Skywarn weather-spotter class on Aug. 20 presented in partnership with the National Weather Service. Registration information is posted on the county emergency management web page, staff said.
Board response Commissioners thanked emergency management staff for the work they do and noted that effective preparedness often goes unnoticed when it succeeds. The board requested continued outreach and affirmed support for training and coordination activities.
Ending: Staff said they will provide links to Skywarn registration and the division’s outreach schedule on the county website and will continue briefing the board on preparedness efforts.
