Montgomery Fire Chief Goldstein Retires, Kinsley Named Acting Chief

Montgomery’s Fire Chief Scott Goldstein steps down after eight years leading the department; Human Resources Division Chief John Kinsle named acting Chief.

Last week Montgomery County said goodbye to Chief Scott Goldstein. Goldstein retired after 36 years of service to the county. He started as a volunteer firefighter as a teenager in Kensington.

Chief Goldstein became the fourth appointed fire chief for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) in 2015.

According to the press release:

“We appreciate Scott’s years of service,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “He played a big role in setting standards that make this one of the best departments in the country, if not the best. During Covid his work and leadership was an invaluable asset to our county’s response and recovery efforts. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Goldstein is relocating to Washington state, the home state of his wife, and he will take a new job as chief of a fire department in Kelso, WA.

“It is my honor and pleasure to be part of this great department and to have the opportunity to serve as your fire chief,” said Chief Goldstein. “That opportunity would not have been possible without the amazing support of our government including County Executive Elrich, former County Executive Ike Leggett and their executive teams.”

MCFRS serves and protects over one million residents across five hundred square miles. Annually, MCFRS responds to over 130,000 calls and operates with an annual budget in excess of $260 million.

The Montgomery County Government is currently interviewing candidates to permanently replace Chief Goldstein. MCFRS Human Resources Division Chief John Kinsley will serve as Interim Fire Chief until a new MCFRS Chief is nominated for County Council confirmation.

Kinsley has been with MCFRS for 37 years. He is also credentialed by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International as a Chief Fire Officer.

MACo Summer Conference

At the 2023 MACo Summer Conference general session, “Answering the Call: The Future of Firefighting and EMS,” panelists discuss MACo’s 2023 legislative initiative SB414  and the work of the Commission to Advance and Strengthen Fire Fighting and Emergency Medical Services Within Maryland. Emergency service recruitment and retention have become a major issue in Maryland, and counties are working to address worker shortages before they become critical. 
The 2023 MACo Summer Conference will be held at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD from August 16-19. This year’s theme is “Where the Rubber Meets the Road” More information can be found on our conference website.