What happens when I dial 9-1-1 ?
What do I do in case of a fire?
Do I need a permit to do open air burning?
What is a HAZMAT?
What should I do if I am near a Hazardous Materials Incident?
What do I do if I am told to evacuate my home ?
What are the Emergency Broadcasting Stations for Harford County?
What is Emergency Management?
What are the different parts of emergency management?
Is the Sheriff's Office a Police Department ?
How long does a person need to be missing before you can file a report?
Can I get a Deputy to watch my house while I am out of town?
Can I get fingerprints done there?
How can I get an Exparte Order or a Protective Order?
Can you help people get assistance with shelter, food and personnel from Social Services?
If I lock my keys in my car can you open it for me?
Are there direct numbers so that I won't have to trouble you for specific questions ?
How do I obtain a warrant on someone?
Does the Sheriff's Office take care of animal complaints too?
People call here all the time soliciting funds for the police can I call you to see if it is legitimate?

What happens when I dial 9-1-1 ?

All 9-1-1 calls made in Harford County are answered at the Harford County Emergency Operations Center. Our center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by highly trained professional dispatch personnel. In addition to voice contact the dispatcher receives a computer database file showing your listed address, name and phone number. Because of the amount of changes that occur in the phone company database or the possibility of mistakes the operator will confirm all information.

As calmly as possible advise the dispatcher exactly what is needed (ambulance, fire truck or police) and then answer the dispatchers questions. If you have a police emergency your call will be transferred by a dedicated line to the appropriate police dispatch center. For a medical or fire emergency the dispatcher will take all information and dispatch the appropriate assistance. All of our dispatch personnel have been certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch and will assist you in a medical emergency with Pre-arrival instructions.

What do I do in case of a fire?

To put out a small fire, cut off its air or fuel by using water or a fire extinguisher. NEVER try to put out a fire that is getting out of control. Get out of the house and call 9-1-1 immediately.

If your clothing catches on fire, stop, drop and roll until the fire is out. Running only makes the fire burn faster.

Do I need a permit to do open air burning?

In Harford County open air burning permits are issued by the Health Department. All open burning must be done in accordance with Maryland Department of the Environment Air Quality Regulations, COMAR 26.11.07 and Code of Harford County, Section 109.12. To apply for a open burning permit call (410) 638-8437 or (410) 879-2404.

The following regulations for open air burning apply, after the permit is obtained:

1. Prior to the start of the burning call Fire Communications at (410) 638-3400.

2. At the completion of each days burning re-contact Fire Communications at (410) 638-3400.

3. No burning will be done during heavy overcast or other conditions which do not allow smoke to rise and disperse.

4. Burning should be controlled at all times, in a manner to prevent creating a nuisance.

5. The burner must comply with applicable Maryland Forest, Park and Wildlife Service Regulations.

6. The following materials may not be burned at any time:

• logs in excess of 12" in diameter.
• tree stumps in excess of 6" in diameter.
• any trash or garbage.
• any material that will produce a dense or toxic smoke. i.e. rubber tires, tar roofing materials and plastics.

What is a HAZMAT?

The term HAZMAT is used when referring to hazardous materials which are substances or materials which, because of their chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life health or property if they are released. Hazardous material incidents affect urban, suburban and rural areas and can range from a spill on a highway to the contamination of groundwater by naturally occurring methane gas, to a major release from a chemical plant or a storage facility.

Hazardous materials of all types are transported daily in and around this County, by air, water, road, rail and pipeline. In addition, numerous hazardous materials to include obsolete chemical warfare agents, are stored in or near Harford County.

What should I do if I am near a Hazardous Materials Incident?

If you witness an accident, spill or leak, call 9-1-1.

Stay away from the incident location in order to lessen your chances of contamination. Go inside and shut all windows, doors and turn off any outside air intakes (air conditioning, heat pumps, etc.). Tune into local radio and TV stations to find out what to do, if you are told to evacuate you will be given exact instructions on what to do and where to go.

Do not go to school to pick your children up, children will be moved to a shelter outside the affected area or cared for within the safety of the school building. Do not use the telephone to call schools, relatives or neighbors. The phone system can become overloaded in times of emergency, cutting off the ability for those who need immediate help to get it.

If you are in your car, roll up all windows and shut off all vents.

Listen to the radio for updates on events and where to go. In any case do your best to remain upstream, uphill and upwind of any incident.

If you suspect that gas or vapors have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or towel. Contact 9-1-1 to advise them of your situation and follow their instructions.

What do I do if I am told to evacuate my home ?

Depending on the emergency situation your local officials may be required to order evacuation to better safeguard the public. In certain cases evacuation is the preferred protective action, if time permits, to remove the public from jeopardy. If you are told to evacuate, consider going to the homes of relatives and friends, or securing hotel or motel accommodations, outside the danger area. Pets will not be allowed into emergency shelters for health, safety and space reasons. If going to a shelter, you can contact veterinarians outside the danger area for animal boarding.

If told to evacuate:

• Do not panic - Stay calm.
• Collect only essential emergency supplies to take with you.
• Do not go to your child's school. Listen to radio and TV, they will tell you where and how to reach your child. Children will be moved to a shelter outside the affected area where we will care for them as long as necessary.
• Leave pets and farm animals at home, unless you plan to stay with friends or relatives. Leave plenty of food and water for your animals.
• Turn off lights and appliances, except refrigerators and freezers.
• Lock your windows and doors. Tie a white cloth to your front door to show that you have evacuated.
• Use your own vehicles. Offer rides to neighbors. Leave extra vehicles.
• Follow the recommended route, do not take shortcuts. They may be blocked.
• Notify your "family contact" or your location.
• Stay tuned to the Emergency Broadcasting System. You will be told everything you need to know.
• Do not go home until you are told to do so.

What are the Emergency Broadcasting Stations for Harford County?

The Emergency Broadcasting Stations (EBS) are designated radio and television stations that will broadcast emergency information, repeating messages often. They will tell you everything you need to know, what to do and when to do it.

In Harford County, tune to the following radio stations:

WXCY* 103.7 FM (Radio)

WHFC 91.7 FM (Radio)

WBAL 1090 AM (Radio)

* indicates that the station is designated as a EBS control station.

What is Emergency Management?

Emergency management is the planning, assignment and coordination of all available resources in an integrated program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for all emergencies and disasters whether from enemy attack, man-made or natural disaster.

Emergency Management:

• Provides for the safety of our citizens because all possible hazards are identified by trained emergency managers who plan the steps that need to be taken before, during and after an emergency of any type.
• Review and exercise the plans often to identify and correct problems.
• Educate and inform the public.
• Organize the correct response to an emergency or disaster.
• Work together with our neighbors, the state and federal government.

Natural Disasters include:

• Hurricane
• Tornado
• Earthquake
• Winter Storms
• Flood
• Fire

Man-made Disasters include:

• Nuclear power plant
• Civil disorder
• Terrorism
• HAZMAT Incident
• Nuclear attack

What are the different parts of emergency management?

Mitigation is the activities taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of an emergency or risk to human life and property.

Mitigation includes:

• Building Codes
• Disaster Insurance
• Public Education
• Procurement of Equipment
• Identification of Resources

Preparedness is the actions taken prior to an emergency to facilitate a coordinated response.

Preparedness includes:

• Continuity of Government Decisions
• Test and Maintain Equipment
• Establish Equipment
• Maintain Emergency Operations Center
• Develop Emergency Plans and Procedures
• Coordinate Training, Drills and Exercises
• Coordinate siren and EBS use
• Identify Hazards

Response is the actions taken immediately before, during or directly after an emergency to save lives, minimize damage to property and increase the effectiveness of recovery efforts.

Response includes:

• Emergency medical services
• Police services
• Fire and Rescue services
• Public works
• Protective actions

Recovery involves restoring systems to normal. Short-term recovery actions are taken to asses damage and reestablish vital life-support systems; long-term recovery actions may continue for years.

Recovery includes:

• Damage assessment
• Debris clearance
• Decontamination
• Disaster assistance
• Temporary housing

Is the Sheriff's Office a Police Department ?

The Harford County Sheriffs Department patrols all of Harford County except for the City of Havre de Grace and Aberdeen and the Town of Bel Air. The Communications Section which is staffed by employees of the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations receives hundreds of calls each day requesting services and information on all types of issues and situations. The personnel of this section are not police officers, if you have a question and want to speak directly to an officer they will transfer you, but in most cases the dispatchers will know the answer. This center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in order to serve you.

How long does a person need to be missing before you can file a report?

In the State of Maryland there is no designated amount of time, a missing person can be reported at any time.

Can I get a Deputy to watch my house while I am out of town?

You may call 410-838-6600 and request a house watch and the Deputy assigned to that sector will patrol the residence when time allows.

Can I get fingerprints done there?

The Harford County Sheriff's Department will fingerprint individuals needing them for employment or permits on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the office located at 45 South Main Street in Bel Air.

How can I get an Exparte Order or a Protective Order?

You must either respond in person or call the Harford District Court at 2 South Bond Street in Bel Air. The number to contact for more information is 410-838-2300 during normal office hours. If there is a problem during non-office hours call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency of 410-838-6600 for non-emergency calls.

Can you help people get assistance with shelter, food and personnel from Social Services?

After normal office hours and on weekends the Sheriffs Office can page the Social Services on-call person. You will not be able to call them directly, the Dispatcher will take your callback number and have the on-call person contact you. If you require shelter there are vouchers available after 6:00 PM for an overnight stay in a local establishment. There is a yearly limit of one voucher for shelter. In addition one food voucher per year can be issued. You can call 410-838-6600 for this service.

If I lock my keys in my car can you open it for me?

If there is a true emergency with the vehicle running, a child inside or traffic is being impeded, then we can assist you in opening your vehicle. We can not recommend or refer you to any locksmith or a local garage to assist you.

Are there direct numbers so that I won't have to trouble you for specific questions ?

The following are the most frequently requested numbers for specific problems or areas:

(All are in the 410 Area Code)

• Office of the Sheriff 836-5414
• Prisoner Processing 836-5461
• Civil Processing 836-5448
• Warrants / Fugitives 836-5457
• Court Commissioner 638-0338
• CID 836-5442
• Detention Center 638-3140
• Records 836-5450
• Traffic 836-5416
• Public Information Officer 836-5403

How do I obtain a warrant on someone?

If the person is not a juvenile and you know the primary information on them then you may be able to contact the commissioner directly at 410-638-0338. The commissioners office is located at 45 South Main Street in Bel Air. It is the same building as other Sheriff Office facilities.

The primary information you should know:

• Subjects Name
• Subjects Address
• Subjects Date of Birth

Try to give as much information as possible. If you are not sure or the subject is a juvenile then you should talk to a Deputy first by calling 410-838-6600.

Does the Sheriff's Office take care of animal complaints too?

If you have a complaint on a animal you will transferred or given the number to Animal Control Division. If it is after hours the call taker can page on-call personnel who will then call you directly.

People call here all the time soliciting funds for the police can I call you to see if it is legitimate?

If you want to discuss these programs you may call the Community Relations Section at 410-638-5464. They will be able to assist you with this information.