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NEWS RELEASE

October 10, 2007

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Howard County “Community Readiness Week” Schedule of Activities Announced

ELLICOTT CITY, MD-- County Executive Ken Ulman has proclaimed October 29 to November 4 “Community Readiness Week” in Howard County. Building on the success of the past two years, events will be held throughout the week to emphasize the importance of both individual and family disaster preparedness.

Monday, October 29, 2 pm
Dedication of James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center
The new public safety training facility will be officially dedicated and named in honor of the 7th County Executive and 8th Chief of Police to serve Howard County. The road leading into the facility will be named in honor of Police Corporal Scott Wheeler who gave his life in service to the County on June 18, 2007.
2200 Scott Wheeler Drive, Marriottsville

Wednesday, October 31, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Volunteer Mobilization Center Workshop
Learn what a mobilization is, how it works and how you can help if a disaster should strike. Lunch will be provided but registration is required.
Volunteer Center, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia
Call 410-715-3172

Thursday, November 1, 7 – 8 pm
“Emergency Preparedness: Communication is Key”
The workshop is designed to give participants information on how to develop a family emergency communications plan, how to create an emergency document binder and establish a neighborhood network of support before an emergency or disaster strikes. A sample toolkit will be provided at this free event sponsored by CERN and the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program
Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia
Call 410-715-0311

Saturday, November 3, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center Open House
The new training center will be open to the public. In conjunction with the open house, the public will be able to observe annual field training exercises for the local Civil Air Patrol unit, the Howard Composite Squadron. The County’s new Emergency Services Command Unit will be on site and there will be demonstrations of the Police Department’s Helicopter Operations and K-9 Search Team.
2200 Scott Wheeler Drive, Marriottsville

Sunday, November 4, 10 am – 2 pm
Drive-thru Flu Clinic
For the second year in a row, the Howard County Health Department will test the county’s ability for mass immunization should the need arise. Health professionals will administer flu vaccines to the public during this test drill. For more information, call the Flu Hotline, 410-313-6503.
Columbia Gateway Drive Loop, Columbia

In addition to the individual events included in the schedule above, the following awareness efforts will also take place:

Annual Test of Howard County’s Community Notification System
There will be a limited test of the County’s automated Community Notification System. Residents in the targeted area will receive a recorded message reminding them that the system is in place and will be used in response to situations that may occur throughout the year.

Emergency Services Command Unit Tours the County
Residents will have an opportunity to view the newest addition to the County’s fleet. The unit will provide first responders with on-the-scene advanced technology to help them safely and effectively manage large-scale county events or emergency incidents. The unit will visit areas of the county throughout the week as follows:

Tuesday, October 30:
Miller Library, 10 am – 12 pm
9421 Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Central Library, 2 pm – 4 pm
10375 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044

Wednesday, October 31:
Elkridge Library, 10 am - 12 pm
6540 Washington Boulevard
Elkridge, MD 21075

Thursday, November 1:
Savage Library, 10 am – 12 pm
9525 Durness Lane
Laurel, MD 20723
River Hill Village Center, 2– 4 pm
Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029

Friday, November 2:
East Columbia Library, 10 – 12 pm
6600 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
Glenwood Library, 2-4 pm
2350 State Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723