The Maryland Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA) is taking another step forward to include the private
sector in state emergency management activities, including preparedness for and
operations in response, recovery, mitigation, and prevention/protection. We recognize the importance of fostering
mutually beneficial relationships and we are creating a conduit for ongoing
private sector engagement through our Private Sector Integration Program
(PSIP). I invite you to join us in this
important program by registering at http://mema.maryland.gov/memacommunity/Pages/PSIPWelcome.aspx or by contacting us at psector@maryland.gov;
more information on the PSIP is available at the webpage as well.
The PSIP will be continually
active, with benefits to our private sector partners during “steady state”
times (no active emergency), as well as when we are operational (during/after
active emergencies). Steady state
involvement will include access to newsletters, participation on a distribution
list for training programs and exercises, and notification for emergency operations
activations and special events.
For emergency situations, we
have established a Business Operations Center (BOC), which is the operational
component of the PSIP. The BOC is part
of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), which, when activated, monitors potential or developing incidents,
supports the efforts of state and local jurisdictions, and provides statewide
operational coordination. Additional benefits and
responsibilities of the PSIP include the following:
1.
Communicating,
coordinating, and collaborating with state, local, and federal government
organizations, as well as industries and retailers to support Maryland’s
communities;
2.
Engaging private
sector entities to build intellectual capital and a shared knowledge base
related to emergency management;
3.
Increasing critical
information sharing across public and private sectors;
4.
Providing
opportunities for displaying the status of private sector facilities in
impacted areas (e.g., grocery, banking, hotel/motel, pharmacy, etc.) for public
consumption; and,
5.
Maintaining
visibility of private sector requirements for continuity of operations, (e.g.,
hours of service waivers, road closures, emergency power, etc.).
We are excited to embark
on this unique opportunity for MEMA, the State of Maryland, and all
participating entities. Community
resilience is a shared responsibility, and increased collaboration will better
equip the private sector, government agencies, and other partners to be more
prepared for, effectively respond to, and resume a sense of normalcy after
disasters.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is committed to
incorporating the private sector into the emergency management framework
to provide a voice to the business community during emergencies and
increase information sharing between the private and public sectors.
MEMA has built the Private Sector Integration Program (PSIP) to
effectuate this goal. The PSIP will include a Business Operations Center
(BOC) housed within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to
better facilitate communication, situational awareness, and information
sharing.
As a PSIP Member You Get:
1. Receipt of information updates during SEOC activations.
- Weather Forecasts
- Road Closures
- Power Outage Maps
- Unmet Needs Postings
2. Access to interactive mapping tool, OSPREY Business, for increased information sharing.
3. Streamlined communications with SEOC.
- Designated phone line
- Designated email address
4. Become part of a larger network supporting Maryland’s communities.
5. Opportunities for cross-sector engagement.
6. Better understanding of emergency preparedness principles for planning purposes.
We would like to invite your organization to help us build and refine our private sector integration program...
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