Family Resources

Harford County has 11 volunteer Fire and Ambulance Companies all coordinated by the 9-1-1 system. As far as law enforcement, the Harford County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police Troopers work with the Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace police departments.

The sheriff's office responds to more than 115,000 calls per year. Although duties have varied through the years, the sheriff primarily centers on maintaining law and order, investigating crime, apprehending and jailing criminals, serving the courts and posting notices of elections. The staff also stays atop the ever-increasing complexities of modern law enforcement in such areas as K-9, SCUBA, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), RADAR, Advanced Accident Investigation, Child Advocacy and Victim Services, Drug Interdiction, Domestic Violence and Community Policing.

INFORMATIONAL PHONE NUMBERS
Harford County Public Information
45 S. Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 836-5403
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov

Harford County Community Action
1321 B Woodbridge Station Way
Edgewood, MD 21040 (410) 612-9909
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov
  
Harford County Executive Office
220 S. Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 638-3354

Harford County Health Department
120 S. Hays St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 877-2300
http://www.harfordcountyhealth.com

Harford County Parks and Recreation
702 N. Tollgate Road
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 638-3572
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/parks_rec

Harford County Office on Aging
145 N. Hickory Ave.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 638-3025
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/aging
This department helps seniors, their families and caregivers through a variety of programs, activities, services and information to remain healthy, active and independent members of the community.

City of Aberdeen
P.O. Box 70
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 272-1600
http://www.aberdeen-md.org  

City of Havre de Grace
711 Pennington Ave.
Havre de Grace, MD 21078 (410) 939-1800
http://www.havredegracemd.com  

Town of Bel Air
Town Hall, 39 Hickory Ave.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 638-4550

PUBLIC SAFETY
Harford County Division of Emergency Operations
(410) 638-4900
http://www.harfordpublicsafety.org
Emergency management ensures the safety of every resident. To that extent, trained managers identify and then plan a course of action for before, during and after an emergency or disaster of any type. They also frequently review and exercise the plans to identify and correct problems, then work together with neighbor communities, the state and federal government.

Natural disasters include:
Hurricane
Tornado
Earthquake
Winter Storms
Flood
Fire

Man-made disasters include:
Nuclear Power Plant
Civil Disorder
Terrorism
HAZMAT Incident
Nuclear Attack
Being prepared for an emergency is everyone's responsibility. With that imperative in mind, the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations works to continually educate and inform the public on how to properly prepare for all types of emergencies and potential disasters.

In one of many scenarios, for example, local officials may order an evacuation to remove the public from jeopardy. In that event, consider going to the homes of relatives and friends, or securing hotel or motel accommodations, outside the danger area. Also remember that pets are prohibited from emergency shelters for health, safety and space reasons. If time permits, contact a veterinarian outside the danger area for animal boarding.

If told to evacuate:
Stay calm—avoid panic.
Collect and take only essential emergency supplies with you.
If your child's at school, listen to radio and TV for instructions about where and how to reach your child. Children will be moved to a shelter outside the affected area.
Leave pets and farm animals at home, unless you plan to stay with friends or relatives. Leave plenty of food and water for your animals.
Turn off lights and appliances, except refrigerators and freezers.
Lock your windows and doors. Tie a white cloth to your front door to show that you have evacuated.
Use your own vehicles. Offer rides to neighbors. Leave extra vehicles.
Follow the recommended route, avoid shortcuts. They may be blocked.
Notify your "family contact" of your location.
Stay tuned to the Emergency Broadcasting System. You will be told everything you need to know.
Only return home when you are told to do so.
The Emergency Broadcasting Stations are designated radio and television stations that will broadcast emergency information, repeating messages often. They will tell you everything you need to know, what to do and when to do it. Tune to the following radio stations:
WXCY 103.7 FM
WHFC 91.7 FM
WBAL 1090 AM

POLICE
Aberdeen Police Department
60 N. Parke St.
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 272-2121
http://www.aberdeenpolice.org

Bel Air Police Department
39 N. Hickory Ave.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 638-4500
http://www.belairmd.org/departments/police.asp

Havre de Grace Police Department
715 Pennington Ave.
Havre de Grace, MD 21078 (410) 939-2121
http://www.havredegracemd.com/departments/police.htm 

Harford County Sheriff's Office
45 S. Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 838-6600
http://www.harfordsheriff.org

FIRE AND RESCUE
Aberdeen Fire Department
21 N. Rogers St.
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 272-2211
http://aberdeenfd.org

Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department
109 S. Hickory Ave.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 836-5646
http://www.bavfc.org

Havre de Grace Fire Department
2228 Ady Road
Forest Hill, MD 21050 (410) 838-3333
www.havredegracemd.com  

Harford County Volunteer Fire and Rescue
343 Granary Road, Suite C
Forest Hill, MD 21050 (410) 638-4700
http://www.hcvfa.org

ANIMAL CONTROL
Harford County Animal Control
611 N. Fountain Green Road
Bel Air, MD 21015 (410) 638-3505/3120
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/dilp/animal_control.html

PETS
Pets are often overlooked in the relocation process. And many animals have trouble adapting to drastic changes in their routines and surroundings. To alleviate or limit the trauma, here are a few tips:
Before moving, collect all records from your veterinarian.
On moving day, alert the movers about your pets, which you have secured in a safe place, such as a bathroom.
Bring your pet's bowls, food, any medications and favorite toys with you.
Keep your pet safe and secure in a suitable pet carrier.
Make sure pet tags include your cell phone number and new address.
Review your route and reserve pet-friendly accommodations.
Upon arrival in your new home, quickly set up your pet's bed and food area.
Find a new veterinarian, clinic or kennel in this guide's yellow pages.

License
Dogs six months of age or older must wear a license at all times. To obtain a one-, two- or three-year tag, owners must present proof of current rabies vaccination and pay the appropriate fee.

Bites
In the event of an animal bite, follow these precautions:
Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water.
Get medical attention. Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room.
If a domestic animal, obtain the owner's name, address and phone number. Find out if the animal has a current rabies vaccination.
If a stray, remember the description of the animal (color, tags, collar, breed, etc.). Which way did it run after the attack?
If wild, capture the animal, if possible, so it can be tested. Take care to prevent additional bites or damage to the animal's head.

In the event of a bite, attack or wildlife nuisance, remember these numbers:
Sheriff's Office (410) 838-6600
Animal Control (410) 638-3505
County Health Department (410) 877-2300
Maryland Animal Control Damage Hotline (800) 442-0708
Wildlife Nuisance Hotline (877) 463-6497

FAMILY, CHILDREN AND CHILD CARE
Harford County has more than 79 child development centers and preschools and 446 home daycares. To scroll through the complete list, check out these websites:
Child care centers: http://childcarecenter.us/county/harford_md
Home care: http://childcarecenter.us/maryland_homecare/harford_md_county
Another free service helps parents find and choose child care that best meets their needs. The computerized list of all licensed programs in Harford and Cecil counties include:

Registered family child care
Licensed center-based and school-age programs
Certified camps
Nursery schools and part-day programs
Head Start programs

Child Care Links of Harford and Cecil Counties
2105 Laurel Bush Road, Suite 105
Bel Air, MD 21015 (443) 512-0461/(888) 244-5383
http://www.hcchildcarelinksinc.org
Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A third Internet resource offers information and lists of private child-care providers, extended pet-care providers and private tutors. Register at http://www.care.com.

WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN
The federally-funded health and nutrition program has a pair of locations in Harford County to help and educate families about healthy supplemental foods, nutrition and finding health care and other community services.

Woodbridge Facility
Edgewood, MD 21040 (410) 612-1776/
(800) 242-4943

Aberdeen WIC Clinic
34 N. Philadelphia Blvd.
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 273-5656/
(800) 242-4943

CHOOSING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER
OBTAIN A LIST of licensed family home and child care centers.
REVIEW THE LICENSING file of your potential care provider.
VISIT THE FACILITY; come prepared with detailed questions about the facility, training and child development philosophies.
KNOW THE RULES and policies of the facility, including payments and services, late fees, child sick days, vacations/holiday schedules and transportation.
INSPECT THE FACILITY or home for potential safety and health hazards.
VISIT THE FACILITY with your child during regular hours. Watch how your child interacts with the staff and the other children.