Facing Climate Challenges: Maryland’s Chief Resilience Officer Shares Insights from Their First Year of Tackling Increasing Threats

In November 2023, Michael Hinson became Maryland’s first chief resilience officer. He arrived with over ten years of experience in disaster management and strategic planning. Hinson has led key recovery efforts after major flooding events in Ellicott City in 2016 and 2018.

Appointed by Governor Wes Moore and working within the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Hinson’s job is to create a strong resilience strategy for the state. His role involves coordinating various efforts across Maryland to help the state prepare for and recover from different hazards, whether they are natural disasters or cyber threats.

In a recent discussion, Hinson shared his vision for resilience in Maryland. He stressed the need for a clear definition of what resilience means for the state. He aims to bring together diverse sectors like food systems, the environment, and housing into a unified strategy. This holistic approach will help Maryland better manage climate risks and other emergencies.

Reflecting on his first year, Hinson highlighted a key achievement: creating a specific definition of resilience tailored to Maryland’s unique challenges. He gathered input from local governments, state agencies, and non-profit organizations to establish a guiding framework for his office’s work.

“Resilience can mean different things to different people,” Hinson said. “We needed a tailored definition that lays out clear priorities.” This new definition not only helps the office stay focused but also aligns with broader federal guidelines while addressing the state’s unique needs.

Now that his office is fully staffed, Hinson feels more confident in advancing his initiatives. The team includes various specialists, such as a food systems resiliency coordinator and a deputy chief resilience officer. Their diverse backgrounds are aiding in a more comprehensive approach to Maryland’s resiliency challenges.

Hinson’s office is also in the middle of developing a statewide resilience strategy. This involves extensive data gathering and community engagement, aiming for completion by early 2026. The strategy seeks to consolidate various resilience efforts in Maryland into a cohesive plan that aligns different agencies towards common goals.

Hinson identified several key areas for focus within the strategy, including housing, community capacity, environmental systems, and cyber resilience. He emphasized the importance of targeting specific areas, like Crisfield and Annapolis, that face severe flooding due to climate change.

The landscape of federal funding and political uncertainties presents challenges, but Hinson remains optimistic. His office is preparing to navigate these changes while coordinating with state agencies to ensure that resilience projects can move forward.

Progress has also been made in inventorying existing resilience projects across the state. An executive order established a framework for collaboration among state departments, allowing Hinson’s office to gather important data on resilience efforts statewide.

Environmental justice is a priority in Hinson’s planning. It guides investment decisions and ensures that the needs of vulnerable communities are considered in resilience strategies. “It’s part of our mandate and essential for achieving meaningful resilience,” Hinson noted.

Grassroots organizations play a critical role in this strategy as well. Hinson believes that without their involvement, effective resilience measures would be difficult to achieve. Active engagement with these organizations helps ensure that local needs are addressed in the resilience plans.

Looking ahead, Hinson’s office plans to expand tools and resources, including developing a user-friendly toolkit for local governments. They aim to help communities create their own resilience strategies and establish more formal resilience authorities to support project funding.

Hinson remains aware of the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and cybersecurity threats. As he leads Maryland in its resilience efforts, he emphasizes the importance of preparation and community involvement in fostering a resilient future.

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