Annapolis emergency managers describe winter‑storm response, budget strains and warming‑center use

Summary

City emergency management officials told the Public Safety Committee they activated the EOC for a severe winter storm, coordinated with the National Guard and mutual‑aid partners, and ran warming centers that logged 464 visits; staff said grant funding helps the office but some FY‑25 grants were delayed and a supplemental budget request is expected.

Kevin Simmons, director of the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, briefed the Public Safety Committee in February 2026 on the city’s winter‑storm response, describing EOC activations, mutual aid and costs tied to temporary sheltering and hoteling for essential staff.

“From 2010 to, 2024, OEM has brought in $23,000,000 in grant funding,” Simmons told the committee, noting the office’s work supports many city departments and that the department operates on a relatively small base budget. He said some FY‑25 grant funding has been delayed, and OEM will present a supplemental budget request to help cover increased operating costs from this winter’s response.

Mary Kate Sabarowski, senior emergency management planner, described how the EOC moved from an enhanced monitoring posture to a partial activation and ran 11…

Annapolis emergency managers describe winter‑storm response, budget strains and warming‑center use

Summary

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