With the passage of the federal Disaster Relief
Acts of 1969 (P.L. 91-79), 1970 (P.L. 91-606),
and 1974 (P.L. 93-288), increased emphasis was
placed on natural disaster preparedness under the
direction of the Federal Disaster Assistance Ad-
ministration (FDAA), Department of Housing
and Urban Development. Changes in State law
and the Agency name reflect this shift in focus:
Maryland Civil Defense and Emergency Planning
Agency (1970-74) and Maryland Civil Defense
and Disaster Preparedness Agency (1975-80). The
emphasis on non-nuclear attack preparedness was
further enlarged by the creation of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in
1979. FEMA assumed responsibility for civil de-
fense functions of the Defense Civil Preparedness
Agency (DCPA), disaster relief functions of the
FDAA, and emergency resources management
functions of the FPA. At the same time FEMA
absorbed the Federal Insurance Administration
and the National Fire Prevention and Control
Administration. By this consolidation, the Agen-
cy's responsibilities increased to include floodplain
management, flood insurance initiatives, commu-
nity preparedness programs for weather emergen-
cies, earthquake hazard reduction, dam safety,
emergency broadcast system, emergency warning,
and terrorist incidents.

The 1970s also brought changes in the Agency's
nuclear attack preparedness missions. In 1972 the
Defense Civil Preparedness Agency was estab-
lished in the U.S. Department of Defense. At this
time, increased awareness of the U.S.S.R.'s im-
pressive crisis evacuation capability contributed
significantly to the development of the present
Population Protection Program (PPP). This plan-
ning is adaptable to all natural disasters, peace-
time emergencies, and nuclear attack. In-place
shelter protection is to be used when time does
not permit relocation.

The Three Mile Island Incident of 1979 focused
additional federal emphasis on radiological emer-
gency planning. During 1980 and 1981 the Agen-
cy expended considerable effort in the production
of radiological emergency plans to cope with acci-
dents at the Calvert Cliff's Nuclear Power Plant
and the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station.
These plans were tested in 1981 and 1982. The
State Radiological Plan is tested annually with a
full-scale operational exercise.

Chapter 505, Acts of 1981, expanded the emer-
gency powers of the Governor and changed the
Agency's name to the State Emergency Manage-
ment and Civil Defense Agency (MEMCDA).
The law makes the Governor responsible for
emergency management in the State. Now, the

Governor has additional emergency powers to
temporarily suspend State statutes, direct evacua-
tions, control access, clear debris, and use private
property when necessary. When the Governor de-
clares a state of emergency, the Director of the
State Emergency Management and Civil Defense
Agency is responsible for coordinating the emer-
gency activities of the offices of the State govern-
ment and those of political subdivisions included
in the declaration.

The Integrated Emergency Management System
(IEMS) was initially implemented at all levels of
government, statewide, in 1984. The System con-
sists of three components: Hazard Analysis, Capa-
bility Assessment, and Multi-Year Development
Planning. Its objective is to apply emergency
preparedness and response resources to all
hazards, and to take advantage of similarities that
exist in planning and response function for all
hazards (Code 1957, Art. 16A, sees. 1-12).

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Acting Chairperson: Paul E. Welsh

Wayne A. Cawley, Jr., Secretary of Agriculture; J.
Randall Evans, Secretary of Economic and
Employment Development; Adele Wilzack,
Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene; Ruth
Massinga, Secretary of Human Resources; Torrey
C. Brown, Secretary of Natural Resources; Bishop
L. Robinson, Secretary of Public Safety and
Correctional Services; Constance Lieder, Secretary
of State Planning; Richard H. Trainor, Secretary
of Transportation; Dr. R Adams Cowley, Director,
Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical
Services Systems; John W. Hoglund, Director. Fire
and Rescue Institute; Dr. David W. Hornbeck,
State Superintendent of Schools; Edward Murray,
Director, State Emergency Management and Civil
Defense Agency; Harris Matthews, Maryland Civil
Defense and Disaster Services Association; Sanford
W. Daily, Maryland Municipal League; Capt.
William D. Poole, Maryland Association of
Counties; Charles W. Riley, Maryland Fire-Rescue
Education and Training Commission; Rocco J.
Gabriele, Fire Marshal; Valeric Tallman,
American Red Cross; Clarence D. Carpenter, Jr.,
State Firemen's Association; Vacancy,
Superintendent, Maryland State Police; Paul E.
Welsh, Public Affairs Consultant.

Established in 1981, the Emergency Manage-
ment Advisory Council advises the Governor on
all matters pertaining to State emergency manage-
ment and civil defense (Chapter 505, Acts of