CENTREVILLE — At the Queen Anne’s County Commissioner’s March 26 meeting, Scott Haas, director of the Department of Emergency Services (DES) presented information about the department’s support of the annual 10K Bay Bridge Run and recognized the outstanding individuals that make it a success year after year.
One of the biggest special events held in Maryland, the Bay Bridge Run offers participants the unique opportunity to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on foot, typically closed to pedestrians, according to Haas.
The race can double the population of Stevensville, bringing in well over 15,000 participants, not to mention countless spectators, so detailed planning with various agencies and partnerships is essential, Haas said.
Planning for the next year’s race begins immediately after the current race is completed and packed up, he said.
A special operations team handles planning and overseeing the event with over 800 total hours of preparation going into the race every year, he said.
Through the 10K course, there are only two ways on and two ways off the bridge and acknowledging the countless unforeseen circumstances that can happen, the event is a true team effort with neighboring agencies and law enforcement partners, he said.
As part of the presentation, the Department also recognized the efforts of the quick-acting teams that saved the life of a participant who suffered cardiac arrest during last year’s event.
Within moments of his collapse just before the finish line, emergency responders were at Glen Camara’s side, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Haas said.
Following his recovery, Camara, a law enforcement officer in Washington D.C, had made it his mission to return and express his gratitude and personally thank all responders involved in saving his life, according to Haas.
“You will forever be a special person within our department, we rarely get to see the end result...to meet the person afterwards,” Hass said.
Camara assisted in presenting the teams with Zoll Clinical Save Awards, certifications issued when life saving resuscitation is performed with Zoll cardiac devices.
Camara stated he has his sights set on participating in the Bay Bridge Run again.
The next Bay Bridge Run is scheduled for Nov. 10 and more information can be found at https://www.thebaybridgerun.com/Race/MD/Annapolis/BayBridgeRun.
In other business it was noted, the County Commissioners authorized a 911 surcharge increase from 75 cents to $1.50 to be implemented July 1.
The Department also recommended the County Commissioners seek increasing the County fee structure to $1.50 in order to match Mid-Shore counties.
As established under Maryland Public Safety, Queen Anne’s County receives a 911 surcharge fee from each cellphone telecommunications service provider. County shares of this fee can range from 75 cents to $2.25 per device per month and the state charge is 50 cents, according to Haas.
Queen Anne’s County currently receives the minimum 75 cents, making the 911 surcharge $1.25 per phone line. This fee is used to enhance emergency response capabilities, technological upgrades and expanding services to meet growing demand and increasing population as well as supports training and ensure reliable emergency communication, Haas said. Total disbursements to the County in FY23 from this service was $531,057 and the increase would essentially double that.
Each county can request a fee increase on an annual basis to support the 911 services within its jurisdiction, he said.
The Department recently completed an assessment of the fee structure on the Mid-Shore that illustrated Queen Anne’s County is 75 cents below surrounding jurisdictions including Kent, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties.
Acknowledging the county does not chase after those who can’t pay the emergency transport fee, Commissioner Phil Dumenil considered the surcharge increase to $1.50 as a small way to collect that money.
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