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

2025 Holiday Closings

Content

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

Title

2026 Holiday Closings

Content

Thursday, January 1st - New Year's Day
Landfill is closed. NO Thursday curbside trash, recycling, food scraps or yard trim collection collection; holiday slide schedule is in effect. 

Monday, January 19th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection.

Monday, February 16th - President's Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling and food scraps curbside collection.

Friday, April 3rd - Good Friday
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling and food scraps curbside collection.

Monday, May 25th - 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. 

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

Friday, July 3rd - Independence Day 
Landfill is open on July 3rd and closed on Saturday, July 4th. There will also be REGULAR Friday trash, recycling, food scraps, and yard trim curbside collections on the 3rd and for residents in Ellicott City who normally receive Saturday trash collection, your July 4th collection will occur on Friday, July 3rd. 

Monday, September 7th - Labor Day 
Landfill is closed. NO Monday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection; holiday slide schedule is in effect.  

Monday, October 12th - Indigenous Peoples' Day
Landfill is open; regular trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside collection.

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

Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th - Thanksgiving Holiday 
Landfill is closed on 11/26. NO Thursday trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim curbside curbside collection on 11/26; holiday slide schedule is in effect.

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

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

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Howard County Police Department

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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 (for example, including, but not limited to, reporting that your vehicle was broken into the night before), call 410-313-2200.

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Department of Fire and Rescue Services

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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 (for example, including, but not limited to, reporting that your vehicle was broken into the night before), call 410-313-2200.

Team

Portrait of Safa Hira
Safa Hira
Director of Communications and Engagement
Read Biography

About

Born and raised in Howard County, Safa Hira currently serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement 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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