Contact: Laura Van Wert, 410-732-9564

BALTIMORE, MD (April 29, 2014) - Members of the Baltimore Regional Incident Management Team will receive training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama this week. Training started on Sunday, April 27, and goes until Saturday, May 3.

Training, travel and lodging accommodations and personnel costs are funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal grants from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI.)  

The week-long training and exercise programs for personnel will focus specifically on each area of expertise - police, fire, emergency medical services, rescue, etc. The training will conclude at the end of the week with a full-scale exercise with all personnel. Training enables those involved to maintain proficient emergency incident and disaster management skills, while working together on a regional level.

Baltimore is the core city of the federally designated Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative, which is comprised of the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis and the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard. Representatives from each jurisdiction comprise the Baltimore Urban Area Homeland Security Work Group (UAWG). Cal Bowman serves as the chairman of the UAWG.  Funds provided by the Baltimore UASI go toward the enhancement and expansion of regional preparedness and collaboration in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The program provides aid to participants in the creation of regional systems across the prevention, protection, response and recovery mission areas through an all-hazards, whole community approach. 

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) is the organization of the region's elected executives who are committed to identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region.

Laura Van Wert