09/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2024 14:46
In an effort to clarify roles related to the medical waste incident in the Middle Atlantic region, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) would like to emphasize that we are not leading an investigation into this incident. The Department lacks legal or statutory authority to perform investigations, nor are we equipped with the tools to conduct such an investigation.
Our Department is leading the coordination of State, local and federal agencies responding to the incident. We have been hosting daily coordination calls since the incident began over the weekend, as well as facilitating interstate communication between partners from neighboring Delaware and Virginia. While there is not a single lead response agency, Emergency Management from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are in close coordination.
We thank all of the State, local, and federal partners on the Delmarva Peninsula for their collaboration in responding to this incident and we also thank residents and visitors for their patience and cooperation.