BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, July 30, 2025) – As part of ongoing efforts to enhance emergency preparedness before the 2025 hurricane season, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council partnered with the American Human Society to facilitate a two-day training exercise. Organized by Emergency Preparedness Planner Blake Fisher, the event brought together key emergency management partners from across the Baltimore region to address a critical aspect of disaster planning, caring for animals during emergencies.

With 49% of Maryland households owning pets, ensuring their safety during disasters is essential for a comprehensive emergency response. The training is designed to help local jurisdictions develop and refine plans for pet sheltering, improving coordination, and enhancing the overall resilience of their communities. 

“Preparing for animal needs during emergencies will not be an afterthought,” said BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly. “Animals are family to so many Marylanders.”

Participants learned how to set up and manage pet shelters during emergencies, ranging from logistics and staffing to health and safety considerations. The exercise supported and focused on inclusive disaster housing strategies from the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP).

The training brought together representatives from the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County. Additional participants included the Maryland Department of Human Services and Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management.

 “Our jurisdictions walked away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to open and manage a pet shelter during an emergency,” said Emergency Preparedness Planner Blake Fisher.

For more information about preparedness and upcoming emergency planning, visit baltometro.org/community/planning-areas/emergency-preparedness.

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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council provides a regional forum for our members and state and local partners to identify mutual interests and collaborate on strategies, plans and programs that help improve economic vitality and quality of life for all.

BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.

BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, July 28, 2025) – The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office has granted $30,800 to the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) to support the Bicycle Helmet Project as part of BMC's safety efforts. 

The grant will fund the procurement of bicycle helmets for distribution during public outreach. The project is part of a greater traffic safety effort from the BMC’s metropolitan planning organization, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), which has seen an increase in bicycle-related crashes year over year in the Baltimore region. 

According to available data from 2019-2023, the Baltimore region accounts for more than 50 percent of statewide bicycle-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. In 2023, nine out of Maryland’s 15 bicyclist fatalities occurred in the region. These statistics show that the rate of bicycle crashes and fatalities are disproportionate to the regional population.

Additionally, studies showed that fatalities decreased by 73 percent when the cyclist was wearing a helmet, along with reductions across the board with regards to head, brain, and facial injuries.

The BRTB considers pedestrians and cyclists to be a top priority in the region’s traffic safety initiatives, as they are the most vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries. This funding will help the BRTB reach its regional safety targets outlined in its Long-Range Transportation Plan, Resilience2050, which identified goals and strategies to develop infrastructure and safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists.

The BRTB will seek out local partners within each local jurisdiction to distribute helmets and include instruction on proper wear during safety outreach events. The BRTB will also be procuring bicycle lights to promote visibility to drivers while riding.  

The Bicycle Helmet Project reinforces the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Serious About Safety initiative – an enhanced, department-wide initiative to drive safety goals and save lives. Combined with other outreach campaigns, such as Look Alive with Signal Woman, the BRTB hopes these resources will help eliminate bicycle-related traffic fatalities and injuries.

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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council provides a regional forum for our members and state and local partners to identify mutual interests and collaborate on strategies, plans and programs that help improve economic vitality and quality of life for all.

BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.

BALTIMORE, MD­­ (Tuesday, July 25, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) voted Howard County Government Executive Calvin Ball as the 2026 Chair at a meeting on Tuesday, July 22. Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jim Moran will serve as Vice Chair.

Calvin Ball was elected Howard County Executive in 2018. Prior to his election, he served four terms as the District 2 Howard County Councilman. In 2006, he made Howard County history when he was elected the youngest chair. He has also served as chair of the Zoning Board and of the Board of License Commissioners. Calvin has been a champion for advancements in the county’s education system, protecting its natural resources, improving public safety and advocating for an inclusive and transparent government.

Jim was elected to the Queen Anne’s County Board of Commissioners in November 2014 after being appointed to a vacant seat in December 2013. He was re-elected in 2018, and again in 2022. He has served as the At-Large Commissioner for over 10 years.

A military veteran who joined the U.S. Marine Corps 35 years to the day after his father did. Jim attended Anne Arundel Community College and worked in the concrete construction industry. In 1987, he started his own construction business, which became Increte of Maryland, Inc. in 1991. He then started another business in 2007, Mid-Atlantic Pigments LLC, which supplies color used in concrete construction.

Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) Director of Transportation Planning Todd Lang thanked Ball and Moran for their continued hard work and support on the board.

The BRTB includes elected officials from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford Howard and Queen Anne’s Counties, as well as heads of state executive departments and lower level administrations. It will next meet again on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council provides a regional forum for our members and state and local partners to identify mutual interests and collaborate on strategies, plans and programs that help improve economic vitality and quality of life for all.

BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.

BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, July 25, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) voted to adopt Resolutions #26-1 through #26-4 during its monthly committee meeting on Tuesday, July 22. 

Notably, Resolution #26-2 adopts a funding proposal for the coming four years to support 173 projects through the Transportation Improvement Program. The TIP includes $3.2 billion in federal money, supported by state and local match as well as Maryland Transportation Authority toll revenue. The largest category of funds supports highway preservation (A key project is the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge) and transit and rail preservation.

While the Baltimore region is non-attainment for EPA air quality standards, modeling of projects in the short- and long-range programs, shows emissions measuring below State Implementation Plan budgets. A public comment period was held for the short-range program and air quality analysis with nearly 20 outreach events. Comments were received from 41 individuals and organizations.

Resolution #26-4 addresses Transportation Alternatives funding, which will support construction of the US 40 Shared-Use Path in Harford County, a project that will give cyclists and pedestrians recreational and commuting travelling options. The funds will also support Safe Routes to School Coordinator positions in Howard County and Anne Arundel County, who will develop and implement education, engagement, and infrastructure projects to improve, encourage and increase the ability to safely walk or bike to school. In total, approximately $1.4 million in federal funds are recommended to fund these projects. 

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Baltimore Metropolitan Council works with the region’s elected executives and state local partners to identify mutual interests and develop collaborative strategies, plans and programs that help improve economic vitality and quality of life for all.

BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.