2024 ANNUAL REPORT - Final

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VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES

Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services

Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services has a lot to be thankful for this year. We are grateful and want to thank County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and the County Council for their approval of the benefit changes to Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP). On April 2nd, approval was given to ordinance changes updating the benefits of LOSAP. LOSAP benefits increased to $240 per month plus $20 per month for each additional 5 years of service at age 62 with a maximum benefit of $340 per month. Again, thank you, County Executive Fitzwater and the entire County Council for supporting our volunteers! It’s been ten years since any adjustments had been made to LOSAP benefits.

Unfortunately, in November of 2023 the Graceham Volunteer Fire Company’s membership made the incredibly hard decision to completely shut down operations beginning June 30, 2024.

Frederick County is incredibly grateful for the service provided to the community by the hundreds of volunteers of the Graceham Volunteer Fire Company since their inception on April 25, 1960. Graceham Volunteer Fire Company’s inability to meet response criteria was directly attributed to a lack of available volunteer members. We are grateful that most of the remaining volunteers of the Graceham Volunteer Fire Company have decided to continue their service to the citizens of Frederick County by transferring their membership to one of the other 24 volunteer corporations in the county. First due response services from the Graceham Fire Company continue to receive prompt, efficient and effective fire, rescue and emergency medical response from the adjoining stations in Thurmont, Rocky Ridge, Emmitsburg and Lewistown. Frederick County’s combination fire and rescue service system is comprised of both career and volunteer personnel. The increase in call volume for fire/rescue services continues to rise, and without the dedication of our volunteer personnel, the level of service would diminish to an unacceptable level. Nearly half of the volunteer fire and rescue members throughout Frederick County are active in some capacity. Approximately 500 volunteers are operationally functional to respond to fire, rescue, and EMS incidents. Approximately another 1,200 members work behind the scenes, raising money and performing administrative duties. The remaining life members are social members or long-standing members no longer in an active status. The Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services (DVFRS) works closely with the volunteer corporations, Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (FCVFRA), Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) and Frederick County Government to provide support to our volunteer members.

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