Executive Director Paul Farragut Retires

• In May of 1995, BMC and the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) launched the Greater Baltimore Alliance (GBA) to market the region as a whole, and attract new business and jobs.  BMC continues to support the GBA by providing research, mapping and other technical services on contract. 
• That summer, BMC and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) launched a public outreach campaign to promote voluntary actions to reduce ozone pollution.  That campaign has grown into Clean Air Partners, which was chartered by the BMC and COG Boards of Directors in 1997. 
• In 1996, BMC and the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority completed "Strategies for Developing Regional Solid Waste Management Programs."  The report document provided the member jurisdictions the information they needed to develop their own solid waste programs in ways that preserve existing landfill space. 
• BMC maintains a working relationship with the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority.  NEMWDA recently completed an emergency debris management plan.  The plan was approved by MDE and EPA, paving the way in advance for debris clean-up and removal following any kind of natural or man-made disaster, and allowing for federal reimbursement.
• The emergency debris management plan was just one outcome of a Regional Emergency Preparedness Task Force, which the BMC Board convened following the events of 9/11.  Task force subcommittees also examined sheltering, the security of the regional water supply, the interoperability of communications,  transportation issues, public health concerns, fire and police response capabilities, and public information needs.
• Another step to enhance regional preparedness was taken last October, when the BMC Board of Directors signed the Baltimore Region Emergency Assistance Compact.  The compact provides for mutual assistance among the six jurisdictions in managing a state of emergency.  Emergency support functions include fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, transportation, communications, public works, engineering, building inspection, planning and information assistance, mass care, health and medical services, search and rescue, or other local agency equipment and personnel as requested and provided.  BMC is also working with the member jurisdictions to update a Memo of Understanding for fire departments, and adopt MEMAC to ensure mutual aid from outside the region and guarantee federal reimbursement.
• At the Board’s direction, BMC staff contributed to regional crime analysis, developed crime mapping software with the Baltimore County Police Department, established a task force on bank robberies, helped secure the passage of legislation enabling the use of red light cameras, and supported efforts helped secure funding for drug treatment through the Maryland General Assembly.
• Through Byrne Grants from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 2002 and 2003, BMC provided computerized crime-mapping systems to several small police departments, both within and outside the Baltimore region.
• The Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee saved the region’s taxpayers millions of dollars through joint purchases of electricity, school supplies, police equipment, and other goods and services.
• Perhaps one of the greatest regional successes was the reaffirmation this past February of the 1984 Reservoir Watershed Protection Agreement.  Mayor O’Malley, Baltimore County Executive Smith and Carroll County Commissioner Gouge were among the signatories who pledged to protect the three reservoirs that supply water to about 1.8 million people in the region.
• BMC also provides policy and technical staff to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, qualifying the region for millions of dollars for highway and transit projects.