The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is seeking applicants to submit projects for potential funding under the following mitigation grant programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant Program (BRIC), and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA). Applications are being accepted now and all projects must be submitted to DEMA no later than December 31, 2022.

Talk to Teens About the Importance of Driving Safety During National Teen Driver Safety Week   DOVER, Del. (Oct 14, 2022)— National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 16-22, 2022 — the perfect opportunity to talk with teens about safe driving habits. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is teaming up with its traffic […]

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and its Comprehensive School Safety Program will invest almost $1 million to enhance school security statewide by providing accurate and uniform maps for all of Delaware’s 19 public school districts and charter schools to enable law enforcement and first responders to react swiftly during emergencies in unfamiliar environments.

In June 2022, Gov. Carney signed into law the Delaware Large Capacity Magazine Prohibition Act of 2022 making the possession of high capacity magazines illegal in the State. In addition, the law authorizes the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) to conduct a limited buyback program. Delaware residents are eligible to receive fair market […]

Use extra caution on the roads during the deer mating season is the warning to Delaware drivers from DNREC, OHS, and DSP.

The annual Safe Family Holiday campaign seeks to prevent the holidays from “getting ugly” by helping Delawareans avoid dangerous driver, passenger, and pedestrian behaviors. DOVER, Del. (Nov. 17, 2022) — Starting on Nov. 18, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) will begin its annual holiday safety campaign, designed to reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths […]

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Delaware now has 139 traffic fatalities, reaching last year’s total of 139, the highest number since 2006. “Thousands of Delawareans will take to the roads in the coming days and weeks to visit friends and family near and far and no matter your destination, we remind drivers to put their […]

Winter storms can occur anytime and anywhere, sometimes with fatal consequences. Heavy snow, high winds, freezing rain, and extreme cold can knock out heat and power to homes and offices and cause hazardous driving conditions. Preparing now can help to greatly reduce any potential impacts from severe weather. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is urging everyone to take action: make a plan, build and stock home and car emergency kits with winter weather items, and stay informed on the latest conditions. Be sure to visit PrepareDE.org for additional resources.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and Notification system on Tuesday, January 3, 2022. The sirens will sound at approximately 10:45 a.m. The 37 sirens located within ten miles of the Salem/Hope Creek (New Jersey) plants will be activated for three to five minutes. The siren tests will be followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

NEWARK (Jan. 18, 2023) – Today, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, along with top leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), led a community response briefing to provide the latest information about suspected drug overdose deaths in the state, current and emerging dangers […]

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is urging eligible tax-exempt nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, to prepare now for an upcoming Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) opportunity anticipated to be available for applications in early March 2023. NSGP provides funding for projects that enhance physical security and cybersecurity to nonprofits at high risk of a terrorist attack. Two requirements for NSGP applications are a Vulnerability Assessment and Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number. DEMA advises interested applicants to begin the process now because completing these prerequisites is often time-consuming.

   Delaware Law Enforcement Partnership   January 27, 2023   The leaders of Delaware’s Law Enforcement Partnership and its members, together with the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security are outraged by the actions of the Memphis Police officers who participated in the heinous crimes that led to the death of […]

The Delaware Judiciary welcomed its first “facility” or comfort dog to the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in partnership with the Delaware Capitol Police.

State Crash Data Now Available to Public Through Open Data Portal   Searching Delaware crash data is now as easy and convenient as logging on to the State’s Open Data Portal. “The crash data portal helps us give drivers the information they want and it is our hope that with this information, our citizens will […]

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based groups, can now apply for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which can reimburse up to $150,000 per site for physical and cybersecurity enhancements or other security-related activities for organizations at risk of a terrorist attack.* NSGP is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and administered in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). The deadline to apply is April 21 at 5:00 p.m.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has recently installed a wrong way driving detection and alert system on the Exit 95 off-ramp from SR 1 northbound to Bay Road and SR 10 (E Lebanon Road) near the Dover Air Force Base North Gate. The alert system is the first of its kind in Delaware to […]

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is reactivating its SoberLift program and bringing awareness to the negative consequences of driving under the influence. In addition, OHS is continuing to partner with State and local law enforcement to conduct DUI patrols through March 19th.  If your plans for the holiday include alcohol, make sure you plan for a sober driver.

March 20 to March 24 is "Severe Weather Awareness Week." In recent years, Delaware has experienced flooding, tornadoes, and winter storms that put lives and property at risk while adversely impacting the health, safety, and economic well-being of families, businesses, and schools. Learning about the different types of hazards will increase preparedness and help reduce the amount of devastation caused by severe weather.

Six pieces of legislation aim to improve safety on Delaware’s roadways SMYRNA, Del. – Governor Carney on Wednesday joined the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), members of the General Assembly, and advocates to announce a package of new initiatives and legislation designed to improve safety on Delaware’s roadways. […]

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police, along with Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG), will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and Notification system on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:20 p.m. There are 37 sirens in Delaware located within a 10-mile radius of the Salem-Hope Creek Generating Stations in New Jersey. Sirens will be activated for three to five minutes, followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations. Sirens tested are the same ones used to alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at either the Salem or Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Sussex County Emergency Operations Center, DelDOT, and numerous volunteer organizations are mobilizing resources and personnel to respond to yesterday’s statewide damage from severe storms and likely tornado in Sussex County. Officials confirmed a fatality at a collapsed structure along Tuckers Road southeast of Greenwood, Sussex County. It’s the first confirmed death from a tornado in Delaware since 1983 according to the National Weather Service.

Governor John C. Carney, Jr. joined State and Sussex County officials to tour areas near Bridgeville today after a confirmed tornado tore through the region on Saturday night, April 1. Preliminary estimates show more than 60 structures were damaged or destroyed along a 14-mile-long path through the communities of Bridgeville, Greenwood, and Ellendale. The survey also included a DelDOT maintenance yard on Newton Road where several buildings were damaged and destroyed, including one where winds pulled a wooden beam out of the ground, shifting the concrete footing.

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is partnering with local and state law enforcement agencies across Delaware from April 1st – 30th  to conduct high visibility enforcement and support several mobilization initiatives during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month such as the Delaware State Police “Drive to Save Lives” initiative that took place Saturday, April 1st through Monday, April 3rd, 2023. This mobilization brought together multiple law enforcement agencies from Florida to Maine to focus patrols up and down the I-95 corridor, which aimed at keeping motorists safe and reducing fatalities on our roadways.

To aid in the ongoing recovery process, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is announcing the following resources and assistance available to those affected by the recent deadly tornado in Sussex County on April 1.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will distribute potassium iodide (KI) tablets to Delaware residents living within a 10-mile radius (also known as the Emergency Planning Zone or EPZ) of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.

DOVER, Del. (April 26, 2023) The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is teaming up with NASCAR Drivers Ross Chastain and Chad Chastain to encourage Delawareans to “Use Your Melon” and Drive Sober. On Friday, April 28th, OHS and Ross will be at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Dover 680 S Bay Rd, Dover, DE 19901 […]

Governor John Carney has proclaimed May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) encourages motorcyclists to ride smart and ride safely through education and awareness. Every year from April through November, DMV offers six motorcycle safety courses for various skill levels, […]

In conjunction with DNREC and DEMA within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Governor John Carney has proclaimed May 15 to 19 as Delaware Flood Awareness Week.

On June 30, 2022, Gov. Carney signed into law the Delaware Lethal Firearms Safety Act of 2022 prohibiting the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, receipt, possession, or transport of assault weapons in Delaware, subject to certain exceptions.  One such exception to the Act’s ban is for individuals who lawfully possessed, or who had […]

The joint initiative with the National Child Identification Program will provide Delaware families and law enforcement with new tools to locate missing children NEW CASTLE, DE– Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined NFL Hall of Famer Randy White, former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter and state education and law enforcement leaders at the Garfield Park […]

As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, DelDOT is reminding the public to expect crowded roads as AAA projects more than 42 million people nationally will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend. “Thousands of people will be visiting Delaware’s beaches and parks or traveling to see family and friends and we encourage […]

Governor John C. Carney, Jr. and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are observing “Hurricane Awareness Week” from May 29 to June 2 by encouraging residents and visitors to “know your zone” and “get prepared” for the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1.

The Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) is encouraging any Delaware resident interested in receiving an assault weapon certificate of possession in accordance with the Delaware Firearms Safety Act of 2022 to take action by making an appointment with the State Bureau of Identification. Over the past three weeks, DSHS provided Delaware residents […]

Sharon Bryson, former managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board, has joined the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) to lead its Office of Highway Safety. This week, the Department announced Sharon as the new Office of Highway Safety Director, replacing former Director Kimberly Chesser, who retired earlier this year. Most recently, […]

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Senate’s vote to confirm the Governor’s nominations of Josette Manning to serve as Cabinet Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services; Steven Yeatman to serve as Cabinet Secretary of the Delaware Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families; and Robert […]

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police, along with Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG), will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and Notification system on Wednesday, July 5, at 7:20 p.m. There are 37 sirens in Delaware located within a 10-mile radius of the Salem-Hope Creek Generating Stations in New Jersey. The sirens cover an area north from Delaware City, west to Middletown, and south to Woodland Beach. Sirens will be activated for three to five minutes, followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

Six pieces of legislation improve safety on Delaware’s roadways DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday joined the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), members of the General Assembly, and advocates to sign a package of legislation designed to improve safety on Delaware’s roadways.   Today’s legislative package […]

Delaware’s Comprehensive School Safety Program (CSSP) is marking completion of several significant safety initiatives, including: 1) new high-resolution maps for every public and charter school, 2) implementation of standard response and reunification training in all districts, and 3) the release of a new comprehensive school safety plan to all 231 public and charter schools in mid-July. The new school safety plan is the first major update since the creation of CSSP in 2012 and will provide schools with the most current guidance to keep students and staff prepared for a wide range of emergencies.

This fall, many Delaware schools will launch a new School Safety and Wellness Suite that incorporates a comprehensive approach to alert administrators of serious situations while providing students with the necessary tools and resources to prevent or deter a situation from escalating.

Governor Carney is proclaiming September as Preparedness Month in Delaware to highlight the many ways families and businesses can “make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed” to be better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. September coincides with the peak months for Atlantic hurricane season, which underscores the need for readiness. The 2023 theme is “Preparing Older Adults,” highlighting key challenges Delaware seniors can face when it comes to preparedness.

SB 86 will require anyone obtaining a new motorcycle endorsement starting September 1, 2023, to wear a helmet and eye protection during the first two years of their endorsement. A civil penalty will be assessed to those found to be in violation.

Delaware Natural Resources Police investigation leads to the arrest of a 16-year-old male of Wilmington, DE, for an attempted carjacking at Bellevue State Park.

Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, announced Major Elmer C. Harris as the Chief of the Delaware Capitol Police. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and the Delaware Capitol Police (DCP) held a ceremony to mark the start of Chief Elmer C. Harris’s role as Chief of […]

The 17th annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day is on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brecknock County Park, 80 Old Camden Road, Camden, DE 19934. The event is rain or shine. September is “National Preparedness Month,” and attendees can get a wealth of resources and information to enhance their emergency preparedness – all in a fun, family environment. Exhibitors will offer interactive activities, games, promo items, and safety-themed giveaways. Event highlights include appearances by Smokey Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog, and a vehicle extrication demo by the Camden -Wyoming Fire Company. The first 500 people who complete an activity challenge will get a free water ice from Kona Ice! For more information, contact DEMAPIO@delaware.gov

The Family Emergency Preparedness Day event scheduled for Saturday, September 23 at Brecknock County Park in Camden, Delaware has been canceled due to expected inclement weather from a pending coastal storm. Out of an abundance of caution, officials from participating agencies determined that the threat of high winds and precipitation would make the event unsafe to both participants and attendees.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency is currently coordinating with officials from FEMA Region 3, state, county, and local agencies to respond to the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Ophelia throughout the state.

Sirens will be activated for three to five minutes, followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations. Sirens tested are the same ones used to alert the public in the event of an actual emergency. There are 37 sirens in Delaware located within a 10-mile radius of the Salem-Hope Creek Generating Stations in New Jersey. The sirens cover an area north from Delaware City, west to Middletown, and south to Woodland Beach. This test is part of an ongoing program that continually monitors the integrity of the siren system.

As white-tailed deer mating season nears, Delaware drivers are advised to be alert around dusk and dawn when deer are typically most active.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, and county emergency agencies are teaming up to share important information to help residents and visitors to prepare and stay safe in the coming months.

Today the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) announced Sean E. Moriarty, Ed. D. as Executive Director of the new Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST). POST, now a new division within DSHS, was created through House Bill 206 and signed into law in August to replace the Delaware Council on Police […]