Dave Robbins - Ris​k & Recovery Manager

Emergency Management is an exciting field to work in right now, because it is rapidly growing and gaining recognition for its importance in a variety of applications. The work is fast-paced and ever-changing, and the culture at MDEM is one of open-mindedness, collaboration, and support. MDEM employees are driven to make a difference in the world, and usually do. The aspect of my job that I enjoy most is knowing that I help people when they are most in need of help.


​Dave Robbins
Risk & Recovery Manager​​​​​​​​​​

Anna Sierra - Chief Development Officer

I have found working at MDEM to be one of the most rewarding times of my career. The mission-driven and professional atmosphere makes it a place I truly enjoy spending my time. I got started in Emergency Management like many others - through the volunteer fire services - and have worked at all three levels of government over the last 15 years. I can honestly say MDEM is one of the most supportive and engaging workplaces I’ve experienced. I think the unofficial motto of MDEM is, “We Help,” and that servant leadership attitude is the thing I love most about our department.

My favorite parts of the week are the opportunities to brainstorm and strategize with other staff on how to build resilience, equity, and partnership into all aspects of operations. I see MDEM continuing and expanding our engagement on complex, all-hazards challenges like climate change, cybersecurity threats, and other emerging initiatives we can’t predict right now. I think the more we can use emergency management principles across issue areas - things like robust information sharing, capability and capacity building, resource coordination, partnerships, and the continuous improvement cycle of planning, training, exercising, and corrective action implementation - the more effective we will be at building a resilient Maryland where communities thrive.


​Anna Sierra
Chief Development Officer

Ed McDonough - Public Information Officer

I joined the agency in September 2003 (just two weeks before Hurricane Isabel struck) after a 20-year journalism career and several years at another Maryland department. My primary role is to help explain what Maryland residents need to be to be prepared before an incident, what they need to do to remain safe during an incident and how they can get help after an incident. I also try to explain what State agencies are doing to assist and how the emergency management system works. I primarily focus on the traditional media and press releases while working closely with colleagues who focus on social media, digital communications and in-person outreach activities. 


A little over 10 years ago, I was handling all of these duties myself. Now I am blessed to work with an amazing team ​of colleagues who take the job of communicating with the public seriously, even if we don’t always take ourselves seriously. At the end of the day, we strive to get the right information to the right people at the right time so they can be empowered to make the right decision. MDEM is a COMPASSIONATE agency which cares about helping Marylanders.


​Ed McDonough
Public Information Officer​