Interim Frederick County MD Fire Chief Wants 90 Firefighters Hired by End of March

Frederick County’s interim fire chief told County Council members Tuesday evening that his division aims to hire 90 new firefighters by the end of March.

Tom Coe, joined by Chief Administrative Officer Rick Harcum and Budget Director Kelly Weaver, delivered the remarks as part of an update about how both Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant money and a 7.9 percent pay raise for the county’s career firefighters would affect the fiscal 2020 budget.

The $5.5 million in SAFER grants — federal money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — will be used to hire 38 firefighters or emergency medical technicians, but county officials will first fill 38 current vacancies before filling the SAFER positions, Coe said.

The county’s Division of Fire and Rescue Services plans to hire 90 firefighters by the end of March because of expected retirements, resignations and other forms of attrition, Coe added.

“That’s a pretty heavy lift for our training staff,” Coe said, but added he’s confident they can reach that mark.

Much of the discussion between council members and staff involved how to recruit and retain firefighters, and dealing with the rising number of calls for service, given Frederick County’s growing population.

Council Vice President Michael Blue (R) asked how much the 7.9 percent pay raise for career firefighters helps the county recruit and retain firefighters, given what surrounding jurisdictions can pay.

“It definitely makes us more competitive in the market, but we’re not leading the pack,” Coe responded.

Councilman Jerry Donald (D) asked several questions about when county officials would be done asking for more firefighters, given that each year, there appears to be a continued need.

Both Coe and Harcum said the county still needs more firefighters and EMTs, based on how the county is growing, how its population is aging and the large areas that fire stations must cover.

Harcum likened the firefighter applicant pool to that of the information technology industry — there is great demand for people with a particular skill set.

“My suggestion is to start thinking about these as career professionals,” Harcum said.

Coe added that some stations countywide face unique challenges regarding response times — such as the Libertytown fire station, which serves 75 square miles with two career firefighters.

“Time is your enemy in the provision of public safety. ... I can’t guarantee you I won’t be before you asking for additional positions,” Coe said.

———

Visit The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, Md.) at www.fredericknewspost.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.