About the Fire Department

The Fire/EMS Department is responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, fire and rescue communications, research, training and the coordination of the volunteer fire companies. The Fire/EMS Department was established by Section 13 of the Schedule of Legislation of the Prince George's County Charter and is organized into three commands which are further subdivided into twenty offices.

The Office of the Fire Chief is the Command Center, organizing and directing the efforts of the County Fire and EMS service, both career and volunteer. It is also the central point of contact for citizen and government inquiries.

In addition to numerous special projects, the Office of the Fire Chief is responsible for the coordination of the Fire Chief's Citizens Advisory Council and meetings with other community groups on issues of concern. This office is also responsible for regular coordination and communications with several internal groups such as the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1619, the Volunteer Fire Commission, and the Volunteer Chiefs' Council.

There are three operational commands: Management Services, Emergency Operations and Special Operations. Each is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel who reports directly to the Fire Chief. Each command is subdivided to define the scope of operations necessary to provide an efficient delivery of service to the citizens we serve.

In addition to the three commands, the following offices report directly to the Office of the Fire Chief:

• Press Information Office
• Volunteer Fire Commission
• Legal Affairs

The Emergency Operations Command includes Fire/Rescue Operations, Advanced Emergency Medical Services, and the Office of Quality Assurance. These elements provide emergency fire and rescue services and basic ambulance services, the advanced life support program and specialized fire and rescue functions, including high rise and underwater rescue. In addition, the Quality Assurance Office focuses on monitoring, evaluating and adjusting the level of emergency and non-emergency service that is provided to our citizens through training and discipline.

The Special Operations Command includes Fire Investigations, which enforces fire and explosives laws and Fire Prevention, which conducts life safety inspections and enforces the County Fire Code. It also includes Fire/Rescue Training, which is responsible for all fire and rescue training programs, audio-visual support, and the Fire Department's physical fitness program, as well as the Public Affairs office which oversees the department's community service programs.

The Management Services Command includes Personnel, which is responsible for all personnel, recruitment, amd career development actions. Fiscal Affairs is responsible for accounting and budget activities within the Department. Logistics is responsible for the Facilities Maintenance Program and provides all elements of the Fire/EMS Department with the supplies and services necessary to operate effectively; Apparatus Maintenance, which performs preventive maintenance activities and specialized repairs of all department apparatus; and the Information Management Division processes and maintains records for all Fire and EMS reports, maintains Fire/EMS Department statistics, and oversees departmental computer related issues coordinating with the County's Information Technology Division.

The Department is staffed by over 1,900 active career and volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers staffing 44 Fire/EMS stations. Career firefighters and paramedics are represented by Prince George's County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Association, while volunteers are represented by the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.