About

The office facilitates public access to information and heightens awareness of government services by operating as a full-service communications agency to provide professional expertise through a network of professional, creative, technical and administrative staff skilled in the following communications fields; marketing and promotion; print, television and electronic media; media and public relations; and information and referral services.

The office serves as a clearinghouse for all official government communications with the public to ensure that Howard County, its officials and representatives are consistently presented in a positive, professional manner.

George Howard Building from Roger Ave in the Spring

Howard County Government Holiday Closings

Title

2024 Holiday Closings

Content

January 1 - New Year's Day
Landfill is closed on 1/1. NO Monday curbside trash, recycling, food scraps or yard trim collection on the 2nd; holiday slide schedule is in effect. 

January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection.

February 19 - President's Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling and food scraps curbside collection.

March 29 - Good Friday
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling and food scraps curbside collection.

May 27 - Memorial Day
Landfill is closed. NO Monday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection; holiday slide schedule holiday slide schedule is in effect. 

June 19 - Juneteenth National Freedom Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection.

July 4 - Independence Day 
Landfill is closed. NO Thursday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection; holiday slide schedule is in effect. 

September 2 - Labor Day 
Landfill is closed. NO Monday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection; holiday slide schedule is in effect.  

October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection.

November 11 - Veterans Day 
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection.

November 28 & 29- Thanksgiving Holiday 
Landfill is closed on 11/28. NO Thursday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside curbside collection on 11/28; holiday slide schedule is in effect.

December 25 - Christmas Day
Landfill is closed. NO Wednesday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection; holiday slide schedule is in effect. 

Police, Fire & 911 Services - Open 24 Hours, Every Day

Title

Howard County Police Department

Content

For general information, call 410-313-3200 or email hcpd@howardcountymd.gov

For general Community Outreach questions, call 410-313-2207 or email HCPDOutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

For the records section, email therecordssection@howardcountymd.gov

Always call 911 in an emergency. For non-emergency police-fire-EMS, call 410-313-2200.

Title

Department of Fire and Rescue Services

Content

For general information, call 410-313-6000.

For additional contact information for the department's various areas, click HERE

Always call 911 in an emergency. For non-emergency police-fire-EMS, call 410-313-2200.

Team

Safa Hira
Safa Hira
Director of Communications
Read Biography

About

Born and raised in Howard County, Safa Hira currently serves as the Director of Communications for Howard county Government. In this role, Hira supervises the Public Information Office, mentors and advises all County public relations staff, creates communication strategies for the Office of the County Executive and County Administration, and serves as the primary spokesperson and media contact for Howard County Government.

In addition to managing and leading the staff who work on the County Executive’s social media channels, the weekly “Ball Bulletin” e-newsletter, the creation and development of infographics, she advises the Office of the County Executive and County Administration regarding current and potential public relations issues and effective marketing strategies. Additionally, she assists in content management and coordination across the county’s public communication platforms.

Previously, Hira held positions assisting the Baltimore City Council and Maryland General Assembly. She holds an Associate’s degree from Howard Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Policy from the University of Baltimore, and a Master of Arts in Government with a specialization in Political Communication from Johns Hopkins University.

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