Housing those awaiting trial, as well as convicted inmates, the Detention Center processes all persons arrested in the County. Since 1996, the Detention Center has offered programs to further inmate education, and alternative incarceration options, such as work release, community service, and home detention (Chapter 621, Acts of 1996).
To ensure emergency response availability to residents, the Office of Emergency Services staffs and maintains a fleet of emergency medical vehicles. In addition, the Office staffs the County's call center which receives all 911 calls for the County, as well as after-hour calls to the Sheriff’s Office, and the Chestertown Police Department. Responding to calls, the Office dispatches and coordinates responders.
Five members constitute the Board. One representative each from the Kent County Fire Chief’s Association and the EMS Council serve one-year terms, while two citizens appointed by the Board of County Commissioners serve three-year terms. The Director of Emergency Services serves ex officio (County Code, sec. 33-1).
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Local Emergency Planning Committee was authorized under the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 (secs. 300-330) to address potential environmental threat from chemical spills. The Committee develops and maintains local emergency plans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, and collects and maintains a record of hazardous chemicals used in the County.
Any facilities using hazardous substances in the County annually must submit a list that identifies and quantifies these substances. These lists are reviewed by the Committee, and forwarded to local first responders and the State Emergency Response Commission. Copies of the lists are available from the Committee (U.S. Code, Title 42, secs. 9601-9675).
The Deputy State Fire Marshal is appointed by the State Fire Marshal (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 6-303).
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