LEONARDTOWN, Md. – April 19, 2022: On April 7, 2022, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Class of 2022 participated in the seventh of nine educational sessions – Public Safety. The day was led by Chris Breedlove LSM’18, Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning, and Jay Mattingly LSM’20, St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services.

The session began at Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Southern Maryland Regional Training Center with a teamwork exercise. This was followed by a presentation from the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services Director Steve Walker, Chief of Communications Chris Thompson, and EMS Chief George Edelen who provided an overview of 911 operations. Next, the class watched a firefighting demo and got up close and personal with a variety of tools of the trade. They also heard from Maryland State Fire Marshall Deputy Chief John Nelson who spoke about fire investigation and the role ATF canines play in the process and Sgt. Adam Davies Trooper 2 who briefed the group on the Maryland State Police Aviation division.

During the lunch break, the class learned more about policing the Southern Maryland region during the Tri-County Sheriffs Panel featuring Assistant Sheriff Dave McDowell (Calvert), Sheriff Troy Berry (Charles), and Sheriff Tim Cameron (St. Mary’s). The class also toured the Charles County 911 Call Center. The afternoon was spent at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy where the class watched several police demonstrations and participated in a firearms training simulator.  

Leadership Southern Maryland’s Executive Program is a nine-month, tuition-based program and is designed and dedicated to educate and inspire a diverse group of current and emerging leaders to create collaborations and partnerships to impact the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties and incorporates a cross-section of the region to include diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity and gender.