Maryland Resilience Project: Federal and Local Agencies to Share Defense Strategies
Maryland officials will unveil a collaborative framework on November 19 to protect civilian communities linked to military bases from cyber and climate threats.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
Civilian residents living near major military installations in Maryland will gain access to a new set of preparedness tools starting in November. The state is launching a public initiative designed to harden local infrastructure against cyberattacks, health crises, and severe weather events. This effort aims to protect the economic stability and operational readiness of regions that host key federal defense facilities.
The Maryland Department of Planning, the state Department of Commerce, and the Office of Military and Federal Affairs will formally present the Resilient Maryland Defense Communities project. The announcement will occur during a live virtual seminar scheduled for November 19, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event brings together federal partners, local governments, non-profits, and utility providers to align their response protocols.
Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) Resilience Deputy Secretary Michael Hinson will lead the presentation. He coordinates the state’s unified strategy for protecting critical infrastructure. Christopher Webster, a director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Center for Health, Cyber, and Security, will discuss the role of artificial intelligence in public safety. Eric Leshinsky, Annapolis Chief Comprehensive Planner, will detail the city’s Annapolis Ahead 2040 resilience agenda. Jennifer Chiasson, the Commerce Department’s Grants Program Manager, will explain how federal and state funds support these military alliances.
The session will outline a specific framework for calculating the return on investment for community resilience projects. Officials state that these investments directly support national security by keeping military bases functional during emergencies. The Maryland model is intended as a practical template that other local governments can replicate to manage collaborative preparedness efforts.
Registration for the webinar is free and open to the general public, urban planners, and security professionals. Participants must have an active Zoom account to attend. Certified attendees can earn 1.5 AICP CM continuing education credits. The Maryland Department of Planning has confirmed that real-time captioning and sign language interpreters will be available upon request.
The event serves as the official kickoff for the multi-agency collaboration. By sharing data and resources across federal, state, and local lines, the project seeks to reduce the vulnerability of civilian areas that support the armed forces.
