Homeland Security & Public Safety

Emergency Communication

The ability to communicate and share information during emergencies is critical, especially in a region as large and complex as metropolitan Washington. Past incidents, most notably 9/11, highlight the need for officials to quickly connect with each other to coordinate decisions across various local, state, and federal agencies. Governments also need tools to communicate messages to the public, and the public must be assured it can contact public safety providers without fail.

COG has helped enhance emergency communication among officials across the region in a variety of ways.

After 9/11, COG created and maintains the Regional Incident Communication and Coordination System (RICCS), a 24/7 system that helps officials communicate during emergencies.
COG coordinates regional conference calls for snow or other weather-related emergencies where leaders discuss conditions and make decisions on operating statuses, such as closing government offices.
COG works to ensure reliable and uninterrupted 9-1-1 service as well as citizen warning systems and emergency text and email alert systems are also major priorities for COG and its members.

News & Multimedia

Results: 41 found.

1
2
3
4
5
next >

News

National Capital Region to test wireless emergency alerts system on April 5

March 28, 2018

COG is helping coordinate twenty jurisdictions in the region to simultaneously issue a test message to the public through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)...
News

COG to study physical security of the region's local government buildings

March 20, 2018

To ensure the health, well-being, and safety of the public, government employees, and elected officials, COG will study the physical security infrastructure of...
News

Journal highlights COG efforts to improve communication among first responders

March 6, 2018

COG's Interoperable Communications Regional Programmatic Working Group discussed its efforts to improve efficiency and reliability of interoperable...
VIDEO

Q&A: Charles County 9-1-1 Chief Tony Rose

July 12, 2017
News

Q&A: Charles County's 9-1-1 and Public Safety Communications Chief Tony Rose

July 12, 2017

A native of metropolitan Washington, Chief Tony Rose has served Charles County in a public safety capacity for several decades. As the Chairman of the 9-1-1...
News

Q&A: Prince George's County Chief Administrative Officer Nicholas Majett

April 18, 2017

Nicholas (Nick) Majett, Prince George’s County Chief Administrative Officer, has been a COG member since May 2014, when he first joined Prince George’s County...
News

Inauguration weekend security a regional effort

March 1, 2017

As thousands of visitors descended on metropolitan Washington for Inauguration weekend, area homeland security and public safety personnel stood ready to...
News

COG, Board of Trade help regional leaders prepare for 2017 Inauguration

January 18, 2017

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Greater Washington Board of Trade partnered to host a free briefing on January 12, featuring top...
News

Scott Boggs named Council of Governments' Managing Director of Homeland Security and Public Safety

January 5, 2017

Scott Boggs, a highly respected public safety expert and regional leader, has been named Managing Director of Homeland Security and Public Safety for COG.
News

New alerts warn commuters of impending winter weather

January 5, 2017

The National Weather Service announced it will issue Winter Commuter Alerts when weather conditions indicate there is a threat to drivers traveling during the...