About
Garrett County Emergency Management is the county department that plans for and coordinates the response to emergencies across Garrett County, from winter storms and floods to large accidents and public-health crises. It works from the county's Emergency Operations Center at 32 Outfitters Way in McHenry, next to the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and serves residents, visitors and the career and volunteer first responders who protect them.
What the Department Handles
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) pre-hospital emergency medical services, including ALS protocols, quality improvement, training and education
- 9-1-1 communications, which the division took over from the Sheriff's Office in late 2025
- Interoperable radio communications that link law enforcement, fire and EMS
- County emergency planning, including the Emergency Operations Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, Hazardous Materials Response Plan and the Local Emergency Planning Committee
- The Length of Service Award Program for volunteer first responders
A Central Base in McHenry
The county bought the former hardware store on Outfitters Way in 2020 to give emergency management a permanent home, since Garrett County was then the only Maryland county without an established Emergency Operations Center. The building lets agencies gather in one place during a major event and provides backup 9-1-1 capacity. Since autumn 2025, county 9-1-1 staff have worked from the center around the clock, with the Sheriff's Office facility in Oakland kept as a backup. Nothing changed for callers: you still dial 9-1-1 the same way.
Getting Ready at Home
The department's website shares safety tips on thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, winter storms, summer heat, woodstove safety, dam safety and child passenger safety. You can sign up for county emergency alerts through Citizen Connect, the same county portal used for paying bills and applying for permits.
For emergencies always dial 9-1-1; the office line below is for planning, EMS administration and general questions.
Address
32 Outfitters Way, McHenry, MD 21541