Advising the County Council on animal-related legislation, the Board also advises the County Executive on budget matters related to animal control expenses and fines issued.
Five members and two alternates constitute the Board. Members are appointed by the County Executive with County Council approval to three-year terms (County Code, sec. 133-20).
The Department of Corrections includes the Central Booking Unit, Community Corrections, and the Detention Center.
DETENTION CENTER
With a maximum capacity of 509, the Detention Center holds those awaiting trial and those convicted to sentences of up to eighteen months (County Code, sec. 20-2).
The Department of Emergency Services develops the County's emergency plan for disaster preparation, response, and mitigation, and receives all 911 calls. Calls are received through the Communications Center, which coordinates response units to most efficiently and effectively respond to emergencies. Response units include municipal and independent fire companies, municipal police departments, the Sheriff's Office, and the Department of State Police. During disasters, the Department of Emergency Services coordinates federal, State and local response and relief efforts (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 14-109 through 14-113; County Code, sec. 15-1 through 15-12). The Department also provides Citizens Emergency Response Training, which offers emergency medical and response training to County residents.
Assisted by the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the Department oversees three divisions: Communications; Emergency Management; and Radio.
The Detention Center originated as the Wicomico County Jail, which was constructed in 1878. Originally, the Jail sat behind the County Courthouse on North Division Street in Salisbury. In 1936, a new building was erected at the same location to house the Courthouse, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Jail. Under its current name, the Detention Center moved to its present location at the Public Safety Complex on Naylor Mill Road in 1990.
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Due to national safety concerns, Wicomico County Civil Defense was created during the 1950s to oversee County emergency planning and response. It was renamed as Emergency Management in 1993. To coordinate fire and emergency medical responders, Central Alarm formed in 1975, and in July 1997 merged with Emergency Management to form the Department of Emergency Services.
FIRE MARSHAL
For the Lower Eastern Region (Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester counties), the Deputy State Fire Marshal serves as an assistant to the State Fire Marshal, and is responsible for fire safety in the Region. The Deputy investigates and enforces laws regarding arson; fire prevention; the installation and maintenance of fire detection and extinguisher equipment; the availability and adequacy of fire exits at public and commercial establishments; and the storage, sale, or use of explosives and combustibles (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 6-305).
The Deputy State Fire Marshal is appointed by the State Fire Marshal (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 6-303).
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