Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced a new staffing reallocation plan for the Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, developed in collaboration with Fire Chief Tiffany Green. This initiative aims to address coverage needs across fire stations and ensure the continued provision of high-quality emergency services for residents.
The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department faces a staffing shortage of 251 career firefighters, exacerbated by challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortage impacts the Department’s ability to recruit and hire new personnel, resulting in vacancies and increased overtime expenses, costing taxpayers over $30 million annually.
Vacation leave for fire and EMS personnel peaks annually from May to September, putting additional strain on an already short-staffed system. The new staffing plan reallocates personnel to effectively address these challenges, ensuring the health and safety of the workforce while maintaining high-quality emergency services for residents.
New Hires and Funding
The County is providing funding to hire 150 new firefighters in fiscal 2025, the highest number of positions funded in an annual budget in 20 years. Additionally, 32 firefighters will graduate from training on July 16, with another 53 in the pipeline. These new hires are critical steps toward achieving the staffing goal of 1,224 firefighters, alongside ongoing volunteer recruitment efforts.
Strategic Reallocation
Starting June 30, the Fire/EMS Department will reassign career staffing from the following stations to fill vacant positions throughout the County:
•Fire/EMS Station 814, Berwyn Heights: Currently staffed with six career personnel from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
•Fire/EMS Station 835, Greenbelt: Currently staffed with twenty-four career personnel, six dedicated to each 24-hour shift.
•Fire/EMS Station 839, Bowie-Belair: Currently staffed with five career personnel from 7 am – 3 pm, Monday through Friday.
•Fire/EMS Station 855, Bunker Hill: Currently staffed with twenty career personnel, six dedicated to each 24-hour shift.
The Department will also assign EMS units during peak hours and continuously evaluate response data to redeploy assets as needed to ensure community safety.
Commitment to Safety and Service
This strategic staffing reallocation is crucial for combating fatigue, safeguarding the health and safety of fire and EMS personnel, and ensuring residents continue to receive reliable emergency services. The County remains dedicated to addressing staffing challenges and supporting our committed firefighters and EMS personnel.
Visit the Prince George’s County website for more information.