FY2025 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets

FY2025 Proposed Budget Organizational Budgets

Division of Fire & Rescue Services

Division of Fire & Rescue Services The Division of Fire & Rescue Services is a combination department comprised of career employees and volunteer personnel affiliated with 25 volunteer fire and rescue corporations. Services are provided throughout Frederick County, which is the largest county in Maryland covering 664 square miles.

The work of this Division is to provide fire suppression, emergency medical service, rescue, hazardous materials containment and special response operations to approximately 284,000 residents in Frederick County. Our 580 uniformed career, 400 operational volunteers and civilian personnel work to the highest standards of moral and ethical character to protect life and property professionally, enthusiastically, and to their utmost ability to answer more than 38,000 calls for service annually. The Division of Fire & Rescue Services operates under Federal and State regulations and guidelines and the adopted County Code. The Division is organized to report through the chain of command to the Chief along two primary areas of responsibility, each with a Deputy Chief: Emergency Services and Administrative Services.

Emergency Services Section (Fire & EMS Operations) is responsible for all field services including: Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Special Operations, Research and Planning, and Safety. The Training Office includes management and oversight of the Training Academy which provides initial and recertification training to all response personnel as well as members of the public. All EMS, fire and rescue training, driver training, and safety and management courses are conducted by in-house staff to ensure the highest level of quality and consistency in training standards. The Health and Safety Office supports the physical well-being of the firefighters.

Administrative Services Section provides fiscal management, budget preparation and management as well as support services to the agency. The Administrative Services Section also includes the Fire Marshal’s Office, Ambulance Insurance Billing Office and the Logistics Office. The Fire Marshal's Office enforces State and County fire codes and laws, performs on-site inspections at construction sites, responds to and investigates complaints and fire code violations, and performs fire cause and origin investigations. The Ambulance Insurance Billing Office collects reimbursement for services rendered for ambulance transport. In many cases insurance policies and government support programs reimburse a portion for ambulance charges. The Logistics Office supports all fire stations through the acquisition and distribution of equipment and supplies, fleet management including the specification and acquisition of vehicles and apparatus, maintenance of the reserve fleet and fuel management.

236