2021 ANNUAL REPORT

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COUNTY EXECUTIVE JAN GARDNER

Courageous, committed, and resilient. That is how I describe our Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services (DFRS). The dedicated men and women who serve our community in the fire service exhibited amazing determination and perseverance throughout 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to greatly affect our community. Staff made sacrifices and took risks to continue to provide excellent service to the people who live and work in Frederick County. In August, we witnessed tremendous strength and comradery after the tragic loss of Battalion Chief Josh Laird. The outpouring of support for the Laird family was a testament to the brotherhood of first responders. As our community grieved, we were reminded of the incredible risks taken every day to protect the lives of others. To help support DFRS staff, the division partnered with the Frederick County Health Department to hire a Behavioral Health Coordinator. A licensed behavioral health clinician with a public safety background will provide direct support to our first responders and their families. The long-awaited Northgate Fire Station, located just west of the Monocacy Boulevard and US 15 interchange will officially open in 2022. This station will provide greatly needed access to the northwest side of the City of Frederick and the surrounding area. This new station is expected to handle more than 3,000 calls annually. New apparatus and a much-needed new Logistics Warehouse on Tilco Drive have been put in service. Additional staff was approved mid-year for the Point of Rocks Station to expand and improve water rescue capabilities along the Potomac River. Keeping our community safe is a fundamental role of county government. The firefighters/EMTs and paramedics in Frederick County are among the best in the State of Maryland. They deliver a high level of care, saving lives and protecting property. As County Executive, I am proud of our resilience and our resolve to rise to daily challenges, weather the pandemic, endure loss, and most importantly to look out and care for others. The entire community joins me in gratitude to the dedicated men and women who work each and every day to keep our community safe. To meet the needs of a growing community, we expanded our capabilities with a new class of firefighter recruits and a paramedic class in 2021.

Jan H. Gardner County Executive