Officials work to get Ellicott City emergency alert system

1. Multiple Map Views

MassAlert™ enables multiple map views linking, providing an important advantage to the operator by viewing spatially related content side by side.

Maps can be synchronized together so that they can be used simultaneously to illustrate any required scenario. A primary site map drives and coordinates all the other views linked to it.

For example, the primary site map might show the location of all outdoors sirens and buildings with indoor systems. When a designated building is clicked, the view will navigate to that building’s floor plan displaying the location of the indoor alert units.

To improve the visual viewing, the maps layout can be arranged so that each can be seen on separate physical displays (dual displays being popular) or they can all be seen on the same display MassAlert™

February 26, 2019

By: Ashley Hinson

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — In a push to protect people on Main Street in Ellicott City when strong rains could turn to devastating flooding, Baltimore County leaders are looking to install an emergency public alert system.

Community members got a chance to give their thoughts Monday night on the plan.

Part of the EC Safe and Sound Plan includes an outdoor tone-based alert system to let people know if danger is imminent. County leaders said the alerts only work if people know how they’re supposed to respond, which was addressed at the meeting.

Officials said when the tones go off, go up; move away from rivers and streets and get to higher ground. Two temporary units are set to be in place before this summer.

The alert will produce a loud tone, which will be equal to an ambulance or emergency services tone at full volume.

County leaders said it is one more way to get people’s attention, and quickly.

“As we know, Ellicott City has a lot of steep terrain. Several small streams feed together. It’s very difficult for the weather service to give, often times, more than minutes’ worth of notice. So when we do go into a flash flood warning, the system would trigger automatically,” said Ryan Miller, emergency management director for Howard County.

People gave feedback on which tones might be most effective. Eventually the units will be updated to include voice capabilities and better directions during emergencies.