Annapolis, MD (September 30, 2026) – Anne Arundel County and the American Red Cross marked National Preparedness Month on Monday, September 28, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthens how the organizations work together before, during, and after disasters affecting local residents.
“This agreement with the American Red Cross allows us to better protect, shelter, and support our residents during emergencies,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “By expanding joint training and planning across our Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department, and Red Cross teams, we are strengthening our overall response capacity across Anne Arundel County.”
This newly created Memorandum of Understanding formalizes and expands coordination between Anne Arundel County and the American Red Cross in preparedness, sheltering, mass care, disaster response, and recovery efforts so residents receive essential support when emergencies occur. The agreement also strengthens collaboration before disasters occur through planning, training, information sharing, and exercises.
During the event at the Annapolis Senior Activity Center, attendees reviewed emergency setup demonstrations—including Red Cross shelter cots, disaster equipment, and an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV). Speakers, including County Executive Steuart Pittman, Office of Emergency Management Director Preeti Emrick, Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, and Red Cross CEO Dale Kunce, highlighted their departments' involvement with the Red Cross and spoke on the critical role of coordinated local response. Media in attendance toured the setup and interviewed leadership, department officials, and experienced disaster volunteers.
“Every time a family experiences a home fire, severe weather or other emergency, they need help immediately,” said Dale Kunce, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross, National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region. “This partnership strengthens our ability to work alongside Anne Arundel County before disasters happen and when residents need support most. By working together, we can help ensure our communities are better prepared and better supported when emergencies occur.”
In 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to more than 100 local disasters in Anne Arundel County and contributed nearly 120,000 volunteer hours helping people affected by emergencies. Most of those responses were home fires.
Demonstrating how this partnership is already yielding results for local residents, the Red Cross opened a temporary blood donation site in Glen Burnie at 19 Crain Highway South in collaboration with the Glen Burnie Improvement Association on Sept. 9. This dedicated community space ensures Glen Burnie-area donors continue to have a convenient location to give lifesaving blood and platelets while the donation center at the Empire Towers building remains temporarily closed. Donors can schedule appointments at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.