* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Stokes
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore’s Disaster Preparedness
For the purpose of calling on representatives from the City agencies charged with preparing for, and responding to, disasters in our City to appear before the City Council to discuss the current state of Baltimore’s disaster preparedness and how lessons learned from recent disaster responses can be applied here at home to ensure the best possible response to any threats we may face.
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Recitals
This year’s particularly severe hurricane season has seen devastating storms impact a number of American communities. Some of the impacted areas have responded better and more effectively than others. Some have simply been overwhelmed by the unprecedented scale of devastation, and others have been spared worst-case scenarios but have had to face the fact that events they had not anticipated are real possibilities.
A great deal can be learned from the responses to these disasters. No one ever wants to think that it could be their community facing devastation, but communities that have spent time learning the lessons of previous disasters are the ones best able to mitigate their impacts if and when they are challenged themselves.
Baltimore has had the good fortune to avoid a disaster like those caused by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria for many years, but it has had to deal with challenging weather events and is not immune to the threat of something worse. It is important that the lessons taught by Baltimore’s own experiences and those of other communities be constantly examined and combined to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for any conceivable disaster.
One important element of this preparation is effective communication within government and between the City and its residents. City Council hearings on the state of Baltimore’s disaster preparedness are an important part of that communication and preparation.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council calls on representatives from the City agencies charged with preparing for, and responding to, disasters in our City to appear before it to discuss the current state of Baltimore’s disaster preparedness and how lessons learned from recent disaster responses can be applied here at home to ensure the best possible response to any threats we may face.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, the Police Commissioner, the Fire Chief, the Health Commissioner, the Director of Public Works, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.