LIVE BLOG: Officials Talk Emergency Preparedness at PHIA Meeting

Updates were recorded live during the meeting.

7:35 p.m.

Dennis M. Robinson, Jr., president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association awarded the 2011 Perry Hall Citizens of the Year to Jerry and Pat Soukup.

Jerry Soukup delivered a brief speech.

7:46 p.m.

Ken Murray of the Baltimore County Department of Public Works was asked to speak about snow removal, although, Robinson said, we haven't had much snow this year.

Murray: Countywide, there are 2600 miles of road, about 7,000 lane miles and 10 percent are considered high priority. There are 166 snow routes of 70-80 miles of road each.

He said residents should expect 18-24 hours before their streets are plowed.

"if you live in a cul de sac, you're one of the last people we get to," he said.

"We've budgeted $6 million for snow removal this year, so if we hang on tight, we may get to use the money to fix some roads."

"Snowplow drivers don't intentionally block driveways," he said.

Visit a new Baltimore County website, BaltimoreCountyMD.gov, and click "snowfighters" to get real-time results on snow removal.

Murray said a lot of the salt solutions on state roads used to prevent ice are needlessly expensive.

Salt is up to almost $60 a ton now. "We try to use it sparingly," he said.

If money is not used for snow, it goes back into the general fund. "If we hang on for another six weeks, we'll get some more blacktop," he said.

He said that major roads like Belair Road and I-83 are handled by the state.

"The main thing is to be patient," he said. "It's kind of like us against you if you're snowblowing into the roads."

"The environmental people are getting on us for the amount of salt we use," he said, adding that much less salt is used today than in past years.

An attendee asked about the effects of salt on bay.

Murray said it's being studied.

He said the price of salt isn't going to go down, only up with transportation costs.

8:03 p.m.

Robinson introduced Jay Ringgold with the Baltimore County Fire Department, who was asked to speak about homeland security and emergency management.

He said he was the local version of FEMA.

"No matter how small your problem is, if you call 911, Baltimore County will respond ... and if we use up our resources, then we'll call the state, if we run through their resources, we turn to FEMA."

He called Baltimore County "resource rich." But he said that even county resources cannot get to all 805,000 people, "so we ask people to be prepared."

"People think it's expensive to be prepared, but it's not and stuff doesn't get wasted. It's rotated, food, medication, a lot of things people don't realize they need."

"We saw just after the earthquake ... even though it was a relatively small event, it tied up all of our communications. I have a satellite phone but even that isn't reliable."

He encouraged people to become familiar with amateur radio. "We rely on them. When we lose cell phones, we can rely on that."

"No. 1, make a plan. It comes down to two things: Do I stay or do I go? What do I need?"

He encouraged everyone to have something to keep them warm, food and a contact list.

Be aware of single parents and people who don't speak English, people with dietary restrictions and people who live by themselves. "Think about these types of things," he said.

Baltimore County does not have evacuation routes on main roads, he said, unlike Baltimore City—all of its evacuation routes go into Baltimore County.

The county manages their own shelters with the assistance of Red Cross, not relying on the Red Cross. He said the Red Cross takes 6-8 hours to get set up, whereas the county can open shelters in 2 hours.

"We don't predesignate shelters," he said. "But we prefer middle schools and high schools."

During emergency situations, he said he reports and directs operations under the county executive's office.

He said evacuations are always accompanied by security to avoid break-ins. He said shelters also have area for pets—a lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina.

He has developed a Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, a six-session program that trains people in emergencies, disasters and helping those with disabilities. Fire safety is also covered, as well as crime prevention and awareness.

"Most crimes are crimes of opportunity ... unlocked doors, garages," he said.

Some criminals target people who leave their homes unlocked while cutting their grass. Cyber crimes and scams are also a problem, he said.

People publicize their vacations on Facebook. "We just think it's a social networking thing but you have to be aware," he said.

He also helps to register and do background checks for volunteers after disasters. "Only 1 percent of them don't have good intentions," he said.

He also teaches CPR during the sessions.

The program only costs $1.75 to cover the fee for the CPR card.

"I want every person to be prepared. Don't think, 'it won't happen to me,'" he said.

"We are susceptible to everything except a volcano and one person always said, but we never get earthquakes—can't say that anymore."

Call 410-887-2715 to get involved in the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program.

8:24 p.m.

Capt. Michael Balog of the White Marsh precinct said he started an email tree to spread information about weekly crime reports. The PHIA will be spreading that information.

"I cannot have 2,000-3,000 people reply when I send it, so I'm sorry if I can't reply to everyone" he said.

Balog reported on home burglaries and said police are still searching for an older man seen in a white truck and a man suspected of a home burglary, announced today.

The one mentioned today has a reward. "I like to call it a bounty," he said.

He commented on speeding complaints following the fatal accident from yesterday. He said speed was likely not a factor, but it was "very tragic for all parties involved."

"This area, Belair Road corridor and Honeygo, is going to remain our DDACs areas," he said.

An attendee asked if a median strip or a vibration strip is possible on Belair Road between northbound and southbound.

Another person asked why there weren't videos released after recent bank robberies.

Balog said videos are not always reliable, or clear. Sometimes they need to be enhanced, he said. Sometimes these videos are only circulated internally.

An attendee asked why the suspected bank robber was able to leave jail from previous charges and he asked about other people who have criminal records. "These guys need to be locked up," the attendee said.

An attendee asked about the hit-and-run. There have been no developments, Balog said.

A woman asked about teenagers who are smoking and drinking near Gunpowder Elementary. Police encouraged her to call 911 when it's happening.

8:36 p.m.

Robinson invited attendees to the next meeting with Councilmembers Marks and Bevins.

Check for live updates.

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The plans to hold its at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the .

Guest speakers are expected to include representatives of the Baltimore County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works, PHIA president announced.

The PHIA also plans to recognize community volunteers Jerry and Pat Soukup as the 2011 Perry Hall Citizens of the Year.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Related Topics: Baltimore county, Homeland Security, Perry Hall Citizens of the Year, and Perry Hall Improvement Association