2024 ANNUAL REPORT - Final

5

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

On behalf of the men and women of the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS), it is my pleasure to present the Division’s annual report for Calendar Year 2024. Our annual report highlights the many activities and accomplishments of the Division over the last year and profiles the outstanding work of the men and women who provide your fire and rescue services. In 2024, our volunteer and career personnel answered 40,049 calls for emergency service, an average of 110 emergency responses per day, a 5% increase from 2023. This level of operational tempo requires our organization to maintain a high state of readiness, which is accomplished through regular inspection and testing of our apparatus and equipment, as well as regular training to exercise the technical knowledge and skills of our personnel. These efforts ensure the provision of the high-quality emergency service response that our citizens deserve.

Thomas E. Coe

Chief

As in years past, 2024 was a very active year for our Fire/Rescue system. In line with both the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Service Delivery Plan and the ALS Deployment Plan, Frederick County recognized several service improvements in 2024. In September, the Division of Fire and Rescue Services was able to complete Phase 2 of our 4-Person Staffing Plan by adding a firefighter to the Fire Engines at the Carroll Manor, Point of Rocks, Northgate, Spring Ridge, Middletown, Woodsboro, and Green Valley Fire Stations. Also, in 2024 we were able to move the ALS Chase Car at the Citizens Truck Company to 24/7 staffing and upgrade the fire engine at the Guardian Hose Company (Thurmont) to become a Paramedic-Engine that now has the equipment and personnel to provide advanced life support care. The additions of Paramedic-Engine 102 and Medic 4 have allowed Frederick County to continue to drastically reduce the time it takes to get a paramedic to the scene of a critical medical emergency. The Division of Fire and Rescue Services also made great strides in the health and wellness of our firefighters by providing two new types of cancer testing to our responders. Cancer in the fire service continues to be a rapidly growing threat to our personnel, but through improved testing, early treatment, and improvements in personal protective equipment, we are working to ensure our responders continue to be healthy. The men and women of our Division remain focused on our mission of providing the best fire and emergency medical services possible to our community. I could not be more proud of the level of dedication and professionalism they display on a daily basis.

Chief Thomas E. Coe, Director

5