Bowers to Lead Largest Combo Department

Leggett Names Richard Bowers as Fire Chief

County Executive Isiah Leggett today concluded a nationwide search for a new fire chief by naming Acting Chief Richard R. Bowers, Jr. as Chief of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS). Bowers is a 32-year veteran of the department, and he has filled every rank and leadership role in MCFRS, including the role of Acting Chief since October 31, 2008, when the County’s first and only Fire Chief Thomas W. Carr, Jr. retired.

“Although we conducted an extensive nationwide search for fire chief, it is gratifying to know that our own interim chief beat all other competitors for the job,” said Leggett. “Our residents should take comfort in knowing that Montgomery County’s first class Fire and Rescue Service can only get better under the tutelage of such an experienced and highly-regarded leader in the fire and rescue field.”

Bowers has long been committed to firefighter safety, wellness and training. Under his leadership, the County’s Fire and Rescue Service has managed to facilitate the purchase of 39 new state-of-the art fire engines designed with firefighter safety in mind. The engines are destined for each of the County’s fire stations within the next few months, along with three new heavy rescue squads, nine aerial tower and ladder trucks and several new EMS units and support vehicles. This is one of the largest and most ambitious equipment purchases in the nation, and it includes significant training for all vehicle operators.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to carry out the County Executive’s pursuit of a common good by helping to create safe streets and secure neighborhoods for our residents in healthy and sustainable communities,” said Bowers. “It is extremely gratifying to work in one of the largest, internationally accredited, combination (career/volunteer) fire and rescue agencies in the United States. Montgomery County has some of the most dedicated and skilled firefighters and emergency medical personnel in the world, and I am proud of their injury and fire prevention work and their responses to more than 100,000 emergency incidents a year.”

Bowers finished first in his 1977 recruit class, and was named “Firefighter of the Year” in 1985. He is well respected by peers and possesses strong organizational, communication and customer service skills. His first initiative as Interim Fire Chief was to direct all firefighters to engage in communities as part of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) “Safety in Our Neighborhoods” campaign. To date, 25,000 homes have been visited and about 650 smoke alarms and nearly 800 batteries have been installed or replaced.

Some of Bowers’ other accomplishments include development and expansion of overall MCFRS training and education. Bowers:

· Was instrumental in opening the MCFRS Command Development Center, a unique training facility and one of only a few in the United States;

· Oversaw and coordinated many firefighter fitness & wellness initiatives, including supporting the Fire /Rescue Occupational Medical Services;

· Is a proponent of driver training and programs to reduce frequency of collisions;

· Formalized and expanded MCFRS safety programs while also serving as the regional coordinator for the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation; and

· Is a strong advocate of community outreach, fire safety education and injury prevention.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service operates with a budget of $190 million and is comprised of more than 2,000 career and volunteer personnel. There are more than 40 fire and rescue facilities, including a 56-acre training academy, a state-of-the-art communications facility, and 34 community fire and rescue stations strategically located across the County’s 495 miles which are adjacent to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Bowers’ appointment must be confirmed by the County Council.

New County Fire Chief

County Fire Chief to be Named After Nationwide Search,
County Executive Selects Permanent Fire Chief

County Executive Isiah Leggett will announce his selection for the position of County Fire Chief on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. The announcement will take place at 1 p.m. in the County Executive’s conference room, located on the 2nd floor of the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, Maryland.

Richard Bowers has been serving as the Interim Fire Chief since the departure of Tom Carr who is now the Fire Chief in Charleston, SC.

The Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), an Accredited Agency, is a full spectrum life safety agency protecting about 500 square miles and nearly 1 million people who live and work in Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction. Under the direction of County Fire Chief the MCFRS is a combination system (career/volunteer) in the suburban Washington, D.C. area, operating 34 community-based fire and rescue stations and several other support facilities with an annual budget of about $195 million dollars. The MCFRS annually handles about 105,000 emergency calls for service

Firefighter Injury Report (Rockville House Fire) Released

Significant Firefighter Injury Report for Rockville House Fire Released

Please find attached a comprehensive significant injury investigation report performed by the Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service for a fire that occurred on October 2, 2008 in Rockville.

see: Statter911.com for complete coverage

http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/davestatter.html


Around 1:30 a.m. on October 2, 2008, E703 (Rockville) was sent to the 200 block of Frederick Ave., in Rockville for the report of a transformer on fire. Upon arrival they discovered smoke coming from a house located at 219 Frederick Ave. and called for assistance. . E703 reported a basement fire with fire showing from a basement window. A ‘House fire’ dispatch assignment and a ‘RID’ (Rapid Intervention Dispatch) was dispatched. Upon the arrival of other units from FS03 on the scene, an interior attack was initiated by E703 and a Rescue Group was established with a subsequent search of the house performed. During the search efforts a member from RS703 (the driver) fell through the first floor over the room of origin and into the fire below. A ‘mayday’ was initiated for the trapped firefighter, and a ‘Task Force’ assignment was requested. The trapped firefighter was able to self extricate himself from the basement. The injured firefighter was treated on the scene and transported to the Washington Hospital Center, Med Star Burn Unit. He was hospitalized for an extended period.


The cause of the fire is under investigation and damage is estimated to be $270,000. The fire is believed to have originated in the basement.


The report contains 50 recommendations dealing with - Fire Ground Operations, Risk vs. Benefit Analysis, Accountability, Mayday, Communications, Personnel Training & Certification, Equipment, PPE/SCBA......should be publicly available around on Friday on County website and elsewhere.



The report was presented to personnel on the incident earlier this week and is being offered to departmental personnel this afternoon and this evening Friday, apr il 17, 2009.

New Rescue Squad in Service

New Heavy Rescue Placed into Service
Germantown FS29 in service, Rockville, FS3 next

Fire Chief Richard Bowers recently announced delivery of the first of three Pierce Dash Rescue Squads. This 2008 unit is labeled with the Council of Governments numbering system as RS729. RS729 was delivered this afternoon at Dover Road and after completing their inventory/unit familiarization; Station 29's crew has just placed the unit in service and is headed back to Company 29.



The unit is powered by a Cummins ISM 450 hp diesel motor with a Jake Brake through an Allison automatic transmission. It is equipped with a Kohler 20KW diesel powered generator and a PTO driven Onan 35 KW hydraulic generator. There are 6 riding positions…all forward facing.

Latest generation safety features. Equipped with Roll Stability Technology, passenger restraint technology and Driver/Officer side curtain air bags as well as rear outboard side curtain air bags.

All standard firefighting equipment such as Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, portable hand lights, hand tools, etc. for each of the 6 riding positions

A state of the art Hurst hydraulic rescue tool system (Jaws of Life), including 6 tools pre-connected to reels so that each tool is “hot” and ready to use immediately on arrival. In addition, multiple gasoline powered portable power units assure the tools can be used remote from the apparatus.

35kW PTO generator and 20kW Diesel Back-up generator for all lighting (including a 9,000 watt Wilburt light tower), electrical tools, and other electrical power needs

A complete Paratech Rescue Strut package capable of use in vehicle stabilization, trench rescue, building collapse, and other rescue scenarios

An entire “heavy rigging” equipment component including numerous heavy duty chains, rigging slings, come-a-longs, anchoring devices, portable winches, etc.

Front and rear apparatus mounted winches, including a heavy duty 20,000 lb. hydraulic rear mounted winch, and 9,000 lb. electric front winch that can be mounted on the front or either side of the apparatus…both for stabilization and movement of heavy trucks and large equipment

Stationary anchoring points on all 4 sides of the apparatus, top and bottom, for securing unstable vehicles and other objects

Water and ice rescue equipment, including dry suits and ice rescue suits to protect personnel from the effects of contaminated flood water, extreme cold water and weather, and icy environments

High angle rescue equipment, such as ropes, pulleys, harnesses, stokes baskets, etc., for rescue from high-rise buildings, steep embankments, structural power and water towers, rock cliffs, etc.

A Heavy Duty Air Plasma Cutting System and the new state of the art Petrogen cutting torch, both for cutting different types of thick structural steel and aluminum

A Rapid Intervention Kit and two thermal imaging cameras for locating and rescuing victims and downed firefighters trapped in burning buildings

A 16.2 CFM on-board air compressor and a portable Scott Air Cart to power an assortment of pneumatic cutting, lifting, and burning tools, in addition to ½” and ¾” pneumatic impact guns for dismantling large truck tires and heavy equipment

A full compliment of high and medium pressure power lifting bags for lifting anything from cars to concrete to trains, and anything in between

Concrete cutting and chipping equipment for lightweight structural collapse, as well as concrete anchoring systems to lift or stabilize concrete slabs, or utilize intact slabs as anchoring systems for other loads

Literally a “forest” of wood cribbing and shoring materials for stabilization of vehicles, heavy machinery, structural building collapses, etc.

Confined space rescue equipment such as atmospheric monitoring devices, ventilation systems, patient evacuation systems, etc. for rescue of victims trapped in Permit Required Confined Spaces

The new Hurst Hydraulic Power Lifting Cylinders capable of lifting an object weighing almost 100,000 lbs.

Dozens of small hand tools, screw drivers, wrenches, etc. for dismantling equipment where victims may be trapped or entangled

Numerous firefighting tools including ventilations fans, fire extinguishers, fire/rescue roofing saws, ladders, interior and exterior lighting units, etc.

MCFRS PIO update from April 13, 2009

MCFRS PIO update(s)from Monday, April 13, 2009


just before 6:00pm - 11007 Candlelight Lane, Potomac, car into residential structure (house). Some damage to garage door and wall near laundry room - car accidentally driven onto house. No injury, no fire.

Just before 5pm - 19650 Gunner’s Branch Road, Germantown - smoke from building
Commercial Retail Establishment: Taco Bell / Kentucky Fried Chicken

Damage: $200,000 Structure, $50,000 Other,
(plus Approximately $35,000 per week business interruption).

Cause: Accidental, improperly discarded smoking materials.

An off duty firefighter arrived on the scene to find a small fire extending up the exterior wall and a moderate amount of black smoke from the roof eves on all four sides.


The store Manager stated the occupants of the restaurant started to smell smoke, thinking it may have been a new piece of equipment the manager went to turn off the new broiler unit. As he returned to the front he noticed black smoke pushing from the air conditioner vents. The manager evacuated the store, turned of the electricity and calls 9-1-1.


First arriving firefighters found a large amount of fire in the roof. The structure was built from lightweight engineered wood trusses in a flat roof configuration. The exterior was faux stucco over ½ inch polystyrene foam board and ½ inch plywood sheath. Structural load components were brick and block on a concrete slab. The fire had run up a small exterior chase to a fire stop, but was able to extend to the interior roof and concealed attic area.

Witnesses indicated the fire may have started on the outside very low to the ground. This area had been mulched over but the mulch had been burned back. Fire Investigators located several cigarette butts in the immediate area. This area was a popular area for patrons and employees alike to smoke. Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and started in the exterior mulch bed by a carelessly discarded cigarette.



around 1:30pm - 8000 Aberdeen Rd, Bethesda - shed fire with extension

First arriving fire and rescue units found heavy fire to the rear of the large single family, rambler style house. Upon arrival crews reported hearing sounds of explosions, one of which turned out to be a propane cylinder BLEVE. Both elderly occupants had already escaped the nearby structure. A large (15 x 24) shed and a smaller shed (6 x 10)were found fully involved, as well as a wooden fence and some trees and bushes. The heat and fire was extending to the house. Fire crews quickly knocked down the fire.



Fire Investigators believe one of the occupants of the house had dumped fireplace ashes between the shed and the backyard fence last evening. The occupant recalled seeing many dried leaves in this area, but remembered thinking that it was a good thing that the outside temperature was as cold as it was. The couple was awakened from an afternoon nap by an alert Verizon technician who was working in the area. A neighbor called 911.

The fire is classified as accidental, caused by improperly discarded fireplace ashes. Damages are estimated at $100,000 to structure and $10,000 to the contents.


around 1:00pm - exit ramp from the outerloop of the Beltway to SB Colesville Road, Silver Spring - crash (overturned tractor trailer) 1 injury, ramp closed for a while, MSP investigating



10:45am - New Hampshire Avenue and Gaithers Meadows Lane, Sunshine area - single vehicle crash. 3 injuries, including two males and one female (all in 20's). Female pinned for about 10 minutes. Ford Explorer over turned, hit tree. 2 traumas(serious) and one priority 3 (non-life-threatening). MSP medevac helicopter on scene transported to Shock Trauma. Other two taken to nearby hospitals.

Montgomery County 2008 Firehouse Magazine National Run Survey

Montgomery County, Maryland - Firehouse Magazine Run Survey - 2008

Population - 957,884
Busiest engine company - E708 (Gaithersburg), with 3790 runs
Busiest ladder company - T/AT 708 (Gaithersburg), with 2815 runs
Busiest Battalion Chief - BC703, with 715 runs
Busiest Ambulance - A703 (Rockville) , with 3389 runs
Busiest Medic Unit - M742 (Wheaton Rescue), with 3677 runs
Busiest Heavy Rescue - RS742 (Wheaton Rescue), with 2694 runs
Busiest Haz-Mat Unit - HM707 (Chevy Chase), with 103 runs
Busiest Fire Station - 8 (Gaithersburg), total number of runs 16,429
Units located at FS8 - E, T/AT, M(2), A (2), BC, Canteen

Number of engine companies - 34
Number of ladder companies - 15
Number of ambulances - 24
Number of paramedic units (incl E, A, etc) - 39
Number of haz mat units - 1
Number of heavy Rescues - 7
Number of Duty Chiefs - 6 (plus volunteer command officers)
Total staffing strength - 2613 (combination career/volunteer)
Annual budget - $195 million
Number of hours in Firefighters workweek - 48 hours (volunteers work schedule vary)
Average total engine staffing - 4
Average total ladder staffing - 4

Fire calls- 13,462
EMS calls - 81,895
Total calls - 106,179

Firefighter starting pay - $43,278 with Top pay $90,918
Paramedic pay - $46,278 with Top pay $93,918

AMBULANCE

A741 (all)4861
A742 (all)3809
A703 3389
A723 2928
A708 2893
A725 2871
A701 2851
A716 2590
A705 2566
A726 2543
A702 2522
A721 2461
A729 2410
A728 2287
A708B 2270
A724 2254
A712 2228
A709 1984
A725B 1931
A740 1900
A733 1857
A711 1324
A719 1089
A710 1058
A717 922
A715 90
A713 79
A714 27


MEDIC

M742 3677
M715 2830
M701 2767
M703 2744
M741 2708
M725 2608
M723 2508
M712 2284
M708 2122
M708B 2003
M729 1817
M731 1715
M704 1534
M713 1056
M730 997
M735 868
M714 508
M726 189


ENGINE

E708 3790
E703 3572
E725 2951
E723 2943
E716 2542
E701 2524
E729 2489
E721 2405
E728 2249
E715 2130
E706 2120
E731 2052
E718 2023
E712 1943
E719 1852
E724 1818
E726 1765
E720 1753
E705 1620
E707 1601
E733 1474
E702 1385
E710 1091
E717 998
E713 984
E740 975
E711 900
E735 876
E704 865
E730 840
RE709 434
E714 167
E727 1


Truck/Tower

AT708 & T 2815
AT703 & T 2074
T725 & AT 2006
T701 & AT 1973
AT723 & T 1931
T731 & AT 1481
AT729 & T 1461
T715 & AT 1341
T712 & AT 1231
T706 & AT 1199
AT718 & T 940
T710 & AT 802
AT719 & T 659
AT735 & T 433
T740 & AT 256
T716 & AT 148


STATION TOTALS

FS 8 Total 16429
FS 3 Total 13574
FS 25 Total 13014
FS 23 Total 10310
RS 2 Total 10231
FS 1 Total 10115
RS 1 Total 9792
FS 29 Total 9484
FS 12 Total 8308
FS 15 Total 7314
FS 31 Total 6010
FS 16 Total 5326
FS 21 Total 4866
FS 28 Total 4541
FS 26 Total 4503
FS 5 Total 4186
FS 24 Total 4072
FS 2 Total 3907
FS 6 Total 3827
FS 19 Total 3600
FS 33 Total 3364
FS 40 Total 3131
FS 18 Total 2963
FS 10 Total 2951
FS 4 Total 2759
FS 17 Total 2641
FS 9 Total 2486
FS 11 Total 2224
FS 35 Total 2177
FS 13 Total 2119
FS 30 Total 1858
FS 20 Total 1753
FS 7 Total 1704
FS 14 Total 1069
FS 27 Total 26

Friday - April 10, 2009 - significant incident updates

1130am - 7200 Brookstone Court - Mazza Woods, Potomac. House fire. Smoke alarms activated - 2 occupants home. Adult male found fire in closet about the time alarm company called. His wife told them what was going on and alarm company notified FD. Male discharged fire extinguisher - he said"the fire didn't believe the fire extinguisher.....". They got out with pet dog prior to arrival of MCFRS. Units arrived and found heavy smoke coming from a large (12,000 sq ft) contemporary style structure - fire in walls, floors, ceiling and roof. The house was a very large and the unusual design and gave the fire crews some challenges in finding and extinguishing the fire which made its way into the walls and up to the roof. 2nd Alarm. 3 minor firefighter injuries, all expected to be treated and released. Cause - undetermined, appears to be accidental, possibly electrical in nature. Damage is estimated to be at least $500,000.
No residential fire sprinklers.


1145am - 12300 blk Piney Meetinghouse Rd, North Potomac. Vehicle fire. - E722 discovered while enroute to 2nd Alarm in Potomac. Truck Fire w/ Haz-mats Truck carrying 55 gallon drums of liquid asphalt at a construction site. Haz Mat teams assisted. No injuries.

3:45pm - Brush fire Co 29's area off Mid-County Hwy near Grassy Knolls - 3 to 4 acres; cause - suspicious . 2 engines, 2 brush units, 1 rescue squad, 1 EMS unit responded.

3:52pm - Box 03-05 for 7634 Standish Pl, Rockville. - Fire in Building. - 1-story commercial office. Machine for making signs overheated caught nearby material on fire - contained by sprinkler system- $75,000K loss . No injuries.

6:22pm - Box 2-7 - 6500 New Hampshire Ave, Takoma Park. Building fire.- Mid-Atlantic Seafood. 75 x 40 one story restaurant - on scene with fire coming from roof around duct work. Fire in duct work above stove caused when the accumulated grease in the duct ignited. - Units quickly controlled fire. No injuries - damage - $25,000.



Saturday - April 11, 2009

Safety in Our Neighborhoods - County-wide. Firefighters checking smoke alarms and providing fire safety and injury prevention information..........going door-to-door and attending public assembly events/activities.

10am - 1915 East West Highway, Silver Spring - dryer
10am - 600 Great Falls rd, Rockville - furnace malfunction - oil burner
2:40pm - 7711 Eastern Av, Silver Spring - small roof fire - roofers working!


PIO Pete

SMOKE ALARMS ACTIVATED - PEOPLE GOT OUT !!!!

Prevent Fires – Save Lives – Here’s How

Several Residential Fire a Cause for Alarm

Firefighters checking smoke alarms with ‘Safety in Our Neighborhood’ campaign
Nearly 20,000 homes visited and hundreds of smoke alarms installed

On Saturday, March 14, 2009 just before 3 p.m. units from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service responded to a fire in a townhouse at 14509 Dunsinane Terrace, in the Bel Pre/Aspen Hill area. First arriving firefighters encountered a fire in the kitchen. The occupants (an adult female babysitting her two young grandchildren age 1 and 4) got out prior to the arrival of firefighters. An activated smoke alarm alerted them to the fire. All three occupants will be transported to a local hospital as a precaution for possible exposure to smoke.

In the last week Montgomery County emergency personnel have responded to many calls, and although all residential fires are significant to those affected, four (4) have particular significance - smoke alarms were present, activated and occupants escaped prior to arrival of firefighters.

On Friday, March 13, around 6:15 a.m., firefighters responded to 1510 Crest Road, in Silver Spring. Crews arrived on the scene of a 2-story Cape Cod single family home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the house. A smoke alarm had alerted the occupants, some of whom were sleeping, including 6 adults and 3 children. All exited safely and there were no injuries reported. Damage was estimated to be about $325,000. The fire is believed to be accidental, electrical in nature. Nine (9) occupants were displaced.

On Thursday, March 12, around 7:45 a.m., units and personnel from Montgomery and prince George’s County Fire and Rescue responded to 12313 Treetop Dr, at the Fairland Gardens Apartments, in White Oak. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from several floors of a 4-story Garden style apartment building. A precautionary Second Alarm was dispatched. The buildings fire alarms had been activated and many occupants were able to self evacuate, some thru windows. However, firefighters did rescue one adult male via ladder from the 4th floor. Several pets were also removed from the smoky building. One adult male was transported with smoke inhalation and one firefighter injured a knee. Most importantly the building’s fire alarms were present and activated. Damage is estimated to be about $500,000 and dozens or residents were displaced. Fire Investigators believe the cause was electrical in nature and originated in a 2nd floor bedroom.

On Wednesday, March 11, just after 2:00 a.m., units responded for a house fire at 17604 Lafayette Dr. in Olney. Firefighters arrived to discover heavy fire coming from a 2-story split level single family home. A single smoke alarm activated on the second floor and awakened 2 residents. They self evacuated with their pets. Prior to the arrival of firefighters an adult male reentered the house to retrieve a cat. He retreated to the garage and drove car out thru the garage door to escape. One firefighter was injured with debris in his eye. The smoke alarm on 2nd floor activated, but the smoke alarm in basement was found without a battery and did not function. Fire Investigators believe the fire originated in the basement and was electrical in nature. Damage was estimated to be about $750,000 and the family of 2 and several pets was displaced.

On Friday, March 6, around 8:30 in the morning units from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service responded to 17100 Hoskinson Road, in Poolesville for the report of a house fire. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire and smoke coming from a large 2-story, wood frame single family home. A lone 2nd floor occupant was awaken by an activated smoke alarm. He self evacuated and apparently initially could not exit thru interior stairway and retreated out a window onto roof. He jumped to ground. Damage was estimated to be over $500,000. The cause may be electrical in nature and appears to have started on the first floor near the kitchen/utility area. There were no injuries. The family was displaced.

Collectively, Smoke Alarms were present and working in all of the aforementioned cases. There were no serious injuries, dozens people, pets escaped or evacuated and in one case firefighters rescued a person. Damage was significant and in just these four (4) incidents over $2 million in fire damage to structure and contents. Dozens of families were displaced. SMOKE ALARMS ACTIVATED - PEOPLE GOT OUT !!!!.

In 2008 five (5) persons died in residential fires in Montgomery County. This shows a marked and dramatic reduction from 2007 when thirteen (13) persons lost their lives in residential fires. In 2007 three (3) of the seven (7) fatal fire incidents involved multiple victims including a total of nine (9) victims in combinations of two, three and four at a time.

The U.S. Fire Administration cites the following statistics:
· Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
· Having a working smoke alarm doubles your chance of surviving a home fire.
· Nearly one-third of the residential fires occur in homes with no smoke alarms.
· About two-fifths of residential fire fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms.

Regionally, Fire Chiefs are appealing for something to done this week and beyond. “Something has to be done. Somehow, someway, we have to get the word out to people and help people to protect themselves”, said Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers. Since November 2008, Montgomery County firefighters have gone door-to-door checking smoke alarms, changing batteries and talking to residents about fire safety and fire escape plans. “We now have more protection available for our homes than ever before and yet people are losing their lives because they seem to be not taking this protection seriously. No one thinks a fire can happen in their house”, added Chief Bowers.

Fire Chief Bowers says, “Any loss of life is tragic, but it is even more so when that death could have been prevented. Prevention and home safety first is what needs our focus.”

Even though Montgomery County has one of the lowest fire death rates, per capita, in the State of Maryland, in order to address the recent increasing death rate among seniors in fires, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and the Fire Chief accepted the Senior Citizen Fire Safety Task Force report at the end of October which made recommendations that may help solve the issue of seniors dying in fires.

Chief Bowers noted, “The Senior Citizen Fire Safety Task Force had a number of good people working hard to address this specific problem and troubling trend.” Almost immediately, Chief Bowers asked all firefighters county-wide to be part of the ‘Safety In Our Neighborhood’ initiative and check smoke alarms while concentrating on senior centric areas.

Fire Chief Richard Bowers says, “This is a busy time of year for firefighters in this region. The simplest thing a family can do to protect themselves from fire is have a working smoke alarm, on every level of their home, and have fire escape plan.”

Some recent incidents resulted in notable damage and major disruption while others were discovered early and were thus managed easily. Human factors, including appropriate and sometimes inappropriate human response to these factors affected the outcomes, some positive and dramatic, others not so good.
There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It's not a question of luck. It's a matter of planning ahead.

Remember – the message is simple:

Develop an Escape Plan – Identify two ways out of each room in your home, identify a meeting place for your family outside, practice your plan at least twice a year when you change your clock. Once Outside – Account for all family members at your designated meeting place, call 911 from a safe location, never go back inside a burning building for any reason.

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home, additional smoke alarms can be placed in sleeping and kitchen areas, test your smoke alarms monthly, change the battery when you change your clock twice a year, if your smoke alarms are powered by your homes electrical system consider installing battery powered smoke alarms as a back up in case of a power outage.

For a free home safety evaluation in Montgomery County call the hotline at 240.777.2476 to schedule a time.

Emergency Medical Services Revenue Recovery Plan

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
Emergency Medical Services Revenue Recovery Plan
Directly Supports Emergency Service Delivery
‘EMS fee’ reimbursement proposal will improve services - save lives!
NO cost to County residents!

Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers and the men and women of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service continue to support a proposal for Emergency Medical Services(EMS) transport billing and revenue recovery. The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is committed to providing a cost effective and efficient public service for emergency medical services and other life-safety services furnished to our communities.

While this revenue recovery plan, which is more commonly known as the EMS transport fee, would be new to Montgomery County, nearly every other jurisdiction in the Washington and Baltimore region are reimbursed for ambulance transport services. Locally, the District of Columbia, City of Baltimore, Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria, to name a few, impose this charge as a form of revenue recovery.

In Montgomery County there will be NO change in current EMS service delivery and therefore, there should be NO reluctance to call 911 for any reason.

No one will ever be denied service based on ability to pay or whether they have health insurance. Again, there will be no change in current EMS service delivery or response. There will be no cost to County residents.

In fact, most residents of Montgomery County have health insurance and ambulance transport coverage is a standard covered service. Indeed, those patients have already paid for this coverage in their health insurance premiums.

Insurance companies recognize that ambulance transportation is a normal cost of patient care during medical emergency situations. In other words if you are insured, the fee will be charged directly to your insurance company, making this proposal simply a seamless revenue recovery process. If a resident is uninsured and requires medical transport, they will be transported at no charge and will not be billed.

The County plan for emergency medical transport billing and revenue recovery is organized in a way to minimize the impact on Montgomery County residents. Patient’s insurance companies will be billed directly for ambulance transport services. The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has been very clear in its determination to ensure that public welfare is maintained and reinforced with this new proposal.

Whenever a 911 call is made for help, the first priority will always be to take care of that patient’s immediate medical needs. If and when deemed necessary the patient will be transported to the hospital similar to how it is handled now. If no transport is made, the EMS fee will not be charged to the insurance company. Again, there will no change in current EMS service delivery.

The revenue from the proposed fee has the potential to keep the world class Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service robust. Fire Chief Bowers believes that it is critically important to move forward with this proposal especially in these challenging fiscal times since the revenue recovery will net more than $14 million a year. This revenue will be dedicated to maintain, augment and substantiate our first-class emergency fire and rescue services.

The funds will directly assist the combined (career and volunteer) Fire and Rescue Service to meet the demands for fire apparatus and equipment, including the acquisition of thirty new EMS units that are in immediate need of replacement as well as associated maintenance and replacement costs; provide critical infrastructure elements with additional fire-rescue stations and staffing in the growing Upcounty areas; career and volunteer staff and administrative support services as well as incentives for county-wide volunteer opportunities; renovated fire stations in all areas of the County; four-person staffing of response equipment; and compensation and benefits for firefighters and emergency medical technicians, among other things will all be supported by the new revenue recovery process.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is a full spectrum life safety agency protecting nearly 1 million people who live and work in Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction. The MCFRS is a combination system (career/volunteer) made up of over 2,000 members comprised of over 1200 career uniformed personnel and professional civilian staff, over 1,000 of whom are emergency responders and an equal number of volunteers, nearly half of whom actively participate in emergency response. Operating with a budget of about $190 million, there are forty fire and rescue facilities, including a 56 acre training academy, state-of-the-art communication facility, as well as thirty-five community fire and rescue stations strategically located throughout Montgomery County’s 500 square miles in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.