Annapolis emergency management asks council to back readiness investments after temporary grant freeze

Kevin Simmons, director of the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management (OEM), told the Finance Standing Committee on April 28 that the OEM’s FY26 budget request is “not about expenses — it’s about an investment in readiness.” The department sought funding to sustain early warning systems, training, exercises and community outreach while restoring staff capacity after multiple departures.

Simmons said OEM had 7 budgeted positions and experienced a “max exodus” in the last year; the office was down to three staff at one point but has since refilled most slots and remains operating with one vacancy. He told the committee OEM secured about $1,500,000 in grant funding and supports citywide programs including winter-relief services at the Stanton Center and weekly food distributions.

The nut graf: Simmons asked the committee to treat the OEM request as maintenance of public-safety readiness rather than routine operating growth. He flagged two immediate budget items — an annual exercise required under City Code Section 11.48.006 and the city’s share of a CivicReady (robocall) subscription — and warned the committee that federal grant disruptions earlier in the year had temporarily limited OEM’s ability to reimburse operating costs.

Key details and recent history

- Grants and a short suspension: Simmons…