​
                                                

Russell J. Strickland has been leading the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (formerly Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)) since July 2015 and was reappointed Secretary of Emergency Management by Governor Wes ​Moore in January 2023. Beyond leading the department, Secretary Strickland provides direct advice to the Governor during disaster events, and leads the coordination of support to local jurisdictions.

He brings over 50 years of public service/public safety experience to the role, including time as a Senior Law & Policy Analyst at the University of Maryland Center for Health & Homeland Security (CHHS), the Director of Emergency Services for Harford County (MD), the MEMA Deputy Director, and the Assistant Director of the Field Programs Division at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.​
                                                

​The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) team is made up of components designed to help commuinities prepare for and recover from disasters, as well as to strengthen them so disasters do less damage in the first place. DRR is made up of:

                                     

Communications & Outreach Branch
 
MDEM's design shop and informational hub, helping ensure that the information, resources, and tools MDEM provides to partner agencies and Maryland's communities are reliable and consistently high-quality.                                     

Communications & Outreach includes MDEM's Public Information Officers, the digital engagement team (social media, web presence, etc.), the Community Emergency Repsonse Team (CERT), and the Individual Assistance program. It also manages MdReady, Maryland's all-in-one emergency alert text and web app; and MdListo, the app's companion for Spanish-speakers.

                                               

Geographic Information Services (GIS) Unit

The GIS unit leads MDEM’s spatial analysis and mapping programs, seeking to provide a higher level of analysis and to spatially display information that informs risk reduction programs and also assists with decision making during disasters in Maryland. This unit works closely with GIS professionals throughout Maryland in an effort to synthesize data helpful in mitigating the consequences of disasters and reducing risk.                                     

Hazard Mitigation Branch                                               

The Hazard Mitigation Branch implements long-term solutions to disaster risk through structural and non-structural mitigation projects. They work with partner agencies and local jurisdictions to identify areas of vulnerability, develop solutions, and implement projects that break the cycle of disaster. The branch primarily focuses on broad, community-based projects that have significant impacts throughout Maryland.

                                               

Public Assistance Branch                                               

In the aftermath of disaster the Public Assistance Branch assists communities adversely affected by disaster. They administer several federal disaster relief programs (which assist public agencies in recovering from disaster), coordinate initial damage assessment with local agencies and other recovery entities, and collect damage estimates in support of any requests for federal assistance.

                                               

Risk & Recovery Branch                                               

The Risk and Recovery Branch leads Maryland’s pre-disaster recovery coordination and post-disaster recovery mission areas. It also manages MDEM’s comprehensive incident risk analysis program during consequence management operations (including for response and recovery) to inform decision-makers throughout emergency response and recovery. The risk analysis outputs are also used to inform planning efforts, such as hazard risk profiles and GIS products.
                                               

Strategy Branch                                               

The Strategy Branch coordinates long-term programs and ​​direction for the Maryland Emergency Management System, as well as coordinating strategic planning, legislative initiativ​es, and working closely with regional workgroups. In addition, they coordinate Maryland’s broad-based Disaster Risk Reduction efforts, working with agencies inside and outside of government to reduce overall disaster risk. The Strategy Branch also works closely with agencies engaged in the protection mission area, which seeks to reduce the risk of terrorism in Maryland.
                                               

Whole Community Integration Branch                                               

The Whole Community Integration Branch's purpose is to partner, engage, and coordinate with private sector, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations across Maryland, ensuring they're integrated throughout all the phases of emergency management and that communication isn't just a one-way street.
                                               

​The Consequence Management (CM) Directorate coordinates Maryland’s emergency operations programs, ensures ongoing situational awareness of incidents occurring throughout the State, and manages the State-level training and exercise program.
CM is made up of:

                                     

Preparedness Branch
                                     

The Preparedness Branch produces consequence management plans and involves stakeholders in emergency​ management planning efforts. The Training and Exercise staff develops and conducts training programs and exercises for state, local, federal, and private sector partners. The Preparedness Branch also incorporates the State of Maryland’s federally-mandated Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program.
                                               

Response Coordination Branch                                        

Response Coordination includes the Maryland Joint Operations Center (MJOC), the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), the Resource Management program, and the WebEOC program. The MJOC is operated round-the-clock, every day of the year by National Guard and emergency management professionals, serving as a communications hub for emergency responders and alerting decision-makers in Maryland when a situation warrants. In times of disaster, the SEOC may be activated to support local governments, in which case it will expand to also include representatives from state & federal agencies, the private sector, and volunteer organizations.                                               

Emerging Initiatives Branch                                      

This branch oversees new, innovative projects that target specific audiences within the State of Maryland or the FEMA Region 3 area, such as the Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA) Program and the Grants to Schools for Emergency Management (GSEM) Program.​                                               

​The Mission Support (MS) Directorate includes all functions related to keeping MDEM programs funded, its positions staffed, its resources managed, and its partner connections alive and intact. MS is made up of:                                              

Fiscal Services Branch
                                     

The Fiscal Services Branch develops and maintains recommendations for the agency’s strategic budget, then monitors/manages operating expenditures to meet those budgetary goals. It's responsible for allocating funding across MDEM's staff, developing plans for utilizing MDEM's various funding streams, coordinating resource procurement and training staff on the process, and ensuring all financial matters are managed in compliance with all the necessary laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
                                              

Grants Management Branch
                                     

Grants Management oversees the grants that Maryland receives to assist with preparedness, mitigation, and recovery efforts. The branch works with state and local agencies in ensuring funds are being used appropriately and are effective at increasing preparedness levels in Maryland.
         
                                     

Liaison Branch                                      

Liaison Branch provides direct support to Maryland’s local emergency management agencies, and assists in the overall implementation and execution of the Maryland Emergency Management System at the local level. Liaisons provide assistance before, during, and after disasters affecting local communities, serving as a critical link between Maryland's many local jurisdictions and it State-level programs.
         
                                     

Information Technology Branch
                                     

Information Technology (IT) provides comprehensive IT services to MDEM. This includes daily maintenance of systems, system acquisitions, and long-term IT planning. This branch is staffed by personnel provided via the Maryland Department of Information Technology.
         
                                     

Facility Management Unit
                                     

The facilities unit coordinates the general maintenance of MDEM properties and the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to ensure readiness at all times. This unit coordinates MDEM​’s facility safety planning and provides for the wellbeing of all employees and visitors.
         
                                     

Human Resources Unit​                                         

Human Resources (HR) coordinates MDEM’s personnel management program. They provide standard personnel services and coordinate employee benefits and wellness programs, in addition to assisting with ongoing employee training, development, and hiring initiatives.