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Mission Statement

The mission of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is to provide maximum protection of lives, property, and the environment with comprehensive risk reduction programs and safe and effective emergency response provided by highly skilled career and volunteer service providers representing the County's diverse population.

MCFRS consists of the Office of the Fire Chief; Division of Operations; Division of Human Resources; Division of Fiscal Management; Division of Support Services; Division of Volunteer Services; the Fire and Emergency Services Commission; and 19 Local Fire and Rescue Departments (LFRD). MCFRS operates 37 fire and rescue stations and several satellite offices.


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Budget Overview

The total approved FY24 Operating Budget for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is $266,795,154, an increase of $14,129,533 or 5.59 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $252,665,621. Personnel Costs comprise 83.43 percent of the budget for 1,361 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 1,363.01 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 16.57 percent of the FY24 budget.

The Debt Service for the Fire Tax District Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is, therefore, not displayed in this section. To pay for the Debt Service, a transfer of funds from the Fire Tax District Fund to the Debt Service Fund of $9,311,730 for General Obligation debt and $6,511,050 for other debt is required.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following is emphasized:

  • Safe Neighborhoods

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Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

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Initiatives

  • Add an Administrative Specialist III and a Program Manager II to provide administrative contract and human resources support to this department of more than 1,300 employees.
  • Add a civilian Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer to support efforts to normalize conversations on equity and operationalize new equity centered practices, policies, and procedures in the Fire and Rescue Service. This enhancement implements a recommendation of the recently completed MCFRS equity assessment.
  • Add a uniformed Community Action Coordinator and two civilian Community Risk Reduction specialists to deliver targeted prevention and education services including bystander CPR, opiate overdoses, and bleeding control in vulnerable communities. These positions will also ensure communities are connected to sustained services to address their needs in the aftermath of traumatic events.

  • Add a civilian Investigator III to expedite internal affairs investigations and reduce unnecessary overtime associated with administrative leave.
  • Enhance the Division of Support Services by adding an Information Technology Specialist III to manage the Public Safety Land Mobile Radio System and a Fleet Road Technician to service apparatus in our fire stations to reduce the amount of time units are kept out of service.

  • Add a uniformed Critical Incident Stress Management manager and a supervisory psychologist to enhance mental health supports for first responders.

  • Enhance facility maintenance at volunteer-owned fire stations by transferring maintenance from MCFRS to the Department of General Services. This shift allows a uniform Captain to return to the field and adds a professional maintenance team to oversee these fire stations in the Department of General Services and will be funded in part by Emergency Service Transporter Supplemental Payment Program funds. This shift ensures that volunteer-owned stations receive the same expert facilities maintenance service as County-owned fire stations.

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Innovations and Productivity Improvements

  • A Fire Chief's General Order was issued and ordered that low-priority fire incident call types be dispatched as routine responses. This order alters the common practice of responding in "emergency" with lights and sirens, to responding with no lights and sirens to these less serious fire alarms, minor hazards, and service calls, thereby reducing the risk of injury to our personnel and the general public.
  • The Emergency Medical and Integrated Healthcare Services (EMIHS) expanded the Leave-Behind Narcan program to minimize opioid overdose deaths. Pre-assembled Narcan kits were placed on every frontline apparatus, department vehicle, and are kept at every station. Along with Narcan, these kits include additional information on County resources for those suffering from addiction.
  • The Safety and Logistics Sections were merged to create the MCFRS Safety & Supply Section to bring enhanced efficiency to the department.
  • The Division of Support Services completed a multi-year project that placed five new Pierce Enforcer 107' tractor-drawn aerials and three rescue squads in service.
  • The Technology Services Section transitioned chief officers away from a desktop environment to a combined mobile data environment, allowing for enhanced portability and functionality, as well as creating cost savings through consolidation into a single machine.
  • The Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) shop completed a 2-year project to perform hydrostatic testing on all MCFRS cylinders. The shop simultaneously completed more than 8,000 work orders that included SCBA repairs, maintaining meters, docking stations, and breathing air compressors.
  • In 2022, Montgomery County retained its current Public Protection Classification Review rating of two for Urban (hydranted areas) and four for rural (non-hydranted areas) Public Protection Classification Review by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). ISO analyzes data and information pertaining to fire protection efforts using their Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, which classifies jurisdictions with a rating between one and ten.

Program Descriptions

  Office of the Fire Chief

The Office of the Fire Chief (OFC) has the ultimate responsibility for the overall management, direction, planning, and coordination of all MCFRS programs and operations. The OFC manages the overall service needs and delivery requirements of MCFRS, including fire and rescue master planning and resource deployment plans; oversees community risk...

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  Operations

The Operations Division is the organizational component of the MCFRS that is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of critical emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, hazardous materials, and technical rescue mitigation to the residents and visitors of Montgomery County.The overall responsibility for Fire and Rescue Service operations lies...

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  Human Resources Division

The Division of Human Resources is a comprehensive support function of MCFRS focused on the management and maximization of potential for human capital. The Division is comprised of various sub-functions. The Administrative Services Section is responsible for personnel and labor related issues, including coordination with County...

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  Volunteer Services

The Division of Volunteer Services (DVS) manages and provides support and volunteer advocacy, oversight, mediation, and enforcement of MCFRS policies, coordination and technical assistance, incentives, and administrative services to support the Local Fire and Rescue Departments (LFRD) within MCFRS. This program promotes consistent and balanced integration of the activities of...

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  Support Services

The Division of Support Services provides central administrative and management service and direction for support functions across the department. Core services include the Capital Improvement Program, logistics, fleet services, facilities, technology services, and safety. The logistics function consists of Fleet Support, Fleet Maintenance, Property and Supply, Emergency Medical...

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  Fiscal Management

The Division of Fiscal Management is responsible for the overall management of the MCFRS operating budget; the management and administration of State and Federal funding; management oversight of the EMS reimbursement program; accounts payable and receivable; and contract management and development. The Budget and Grants Section handles budget development;...

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Budget Trends
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Program Contacts

Contact Dominic Del Pozzo of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service at 240.777.2236 or Thomas Tippett of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2628 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links
Budget Summary
TitleActual
FY22
Budget
FY23
Estimate
FY23
Approved
FY24
%Chg
Bud/App
FIRE
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages150176164.00154206201.00 163791559.00 164726845.006.8
Employee Benefits53962984.0053362301.00 52734238.00 57859480.008.4
Fire Personnel Costs204139148.00207568502.00 216525797.00 222586325.007.2
Operating Expenses46312023.0045097119.00 51309912.00 44131829.00-2.1
Capital Outlay351941.000.00 0.00 77000.000.0
Fire Expenditures250803112.00252665621.00 267835709.00 266795154.005.6
PERSONNEL
Full-Time1332.001350.00 1350.00 1361.000.8
Part-Time0.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
FTEs1333.261352.01 1352.01 1363.010.8
REVENUES
Property Tax253000761.00236039696.00 233587215.00 264401586.0012.0
Other Intergovernmental3677615.0011013162.00 13000000.00 13000000.0018.0
State Fire/Rescue 508 Funds1935478.000.00 1937314.00 0.000.0
Miscellaneous Revenues285369.00244882.00 244882.00 244882.000.0
EMS Reimbursement-Ambulance Fee19916930.0020000000.00 20000000.00 20000000.000.0
Federal Reimbursement9346086.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Fire Revenues288162239.00267297740.00 268769411.00 297646468.0011.4
 
GRANT FUND - MCG
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages3708666.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Employee Benefits133042.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Personnel Costs3841708.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Operating Expenses1132952.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Capital Outlay134793.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Expenditures5109453.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
PERSONNEL
Full-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
REVENUES
Federal Grants4770310.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
State Grants17807.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Revenues4788117.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures255912565.00252665621.00 267835709.00 266795154.005.6
Total Full-Time Positions1332.001350.00 1350.00 1361.000.8
Total Part-Time Positions0.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
Total FTEs1333.261352.01 1352.01 1363.010.8
Total Revenues292950356.00267297740.00 268769411.00 297646468.0011.4
FY24 Approved Changes
TitleExpendituresFTEs
FIRE
FY23 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION2526656211352.01
Changes (with service impacts)
Enhance: Distribution of Intergovernmental Funding to Support Volunteers [Volunteer Services]4500000.00
Enhance: Add a Uniformed Community Action Coordinator and Two Civilian Community Risk Reduction Specialists to Expand Prevention and Education Services [Office of the Fire Chief]4080003.00
Enhance: Add a Uniformed Peer Support & Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Manager and Civilian Psychologist Supervisor to Expand Available Mental Health Resources for First Responders [Human Resources Division]2450002.00
Enhance: Add an Investigator III to Reduce Time Required to Complete Internal Affairs Investigations [Office of the Fire Chief]1320001.00
Add: FY23 Supplemental - Emergency Medical Technician Cadet Program in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools [Human Resources Division]1160000.00
Add: Information Technology Specialist to Manage the Public Safety Land Mobile Radio Systems [Support Services]990001.00
Add: Fleet Road Technician to Support the Timely Maintenance of Fire Apparatus [Support Services]950001.00
Enhance: Contract Specialist to Support Administrative Workload [Fiscal Management]950001.00
Add: Civilian Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer to Expand Equity-Centered Practices [Office of the Fire Chief]950001.00
Enhance: Add an Administrative Specialist to Support Administrative Workload in Human Resources [Human Resources Division]890001.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: FY24 Compensation Adjustment115864150.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY23 Compensation Increases36089200.00
Increase Cost: Increase Overtime Allocation to Reflect Past General Wage Adjustments [Operations]16295410.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY23 Lapsed Positions5210000.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment4761260.00
Increase Cost: FROMS Contract Adjustment [Human Resources Division]4750000.00
Increase Cost: Insurance Premium Increase [Fiscal Management]4214590.00
Increase Cost: Risk Management Adjustment1318490.00
Increase Cost: FY23 Supplemental - Staffing Support for Sandy Spring Fire Station 40 [Operations]1000000.00
Increase Cost: Medical Director Contract CPI Adjustment [Operations]420000.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail373840.00
Decrease Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment-2619820.00
Decrease Cost: Holiday Pay - Number of Holidays [Operations]-3670000.00
Shift: Flexible EMS Resources to Reduce Overtime [Operations]-6500000.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY23 Personnel Costs-8031330.00
Re-align: One-time Budget Adjustment to Reflect Higher Than Expected Vacant Positions-8160460.00
Decrease Cost: Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY23-18260000.00
Shift: Local Fire and Rescue Departments Facilities Maintenance to DGS to Enhance Support [Support Services]-20000000.00
FY24 APPROVED2667951541363.01
Program Summary
Program NameFY23 APPR
Expenditures
FY23 APPR
FTEs
FY24 APPR
Expenditures
FY24 APPR
FTEs
Fiscal Management619037316.00677913116.00
Human Resources Division2810647031.012804906235.01
Office of the Fire Chief610002215.00383877419.00
Operations1812358601225.401976172111224.40
Support Services2319569258.602217249762.60
Volunteer Services78372046.0083384796.00
Total2526656211352.012667951541363.01
Funding Parameter Items ($000s)
TitleFY24FY25FY26FY27FY28FY29
FIRE
EXPENDITURES
FY24 Approved266795.000000266795.000000266795.000000266795.000000266795.000000266795.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Annualization of Positions Approved in FY240.000000328.000000328.000000328.000000328.000000328.000000
New positions in the FY24 budget are generally assumed to be filled at least two months after the fiscal year begins. Therefore, the above amounts reflect annualization of these positions in the outyears.
Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY240.000000-354.000000-354.000000-354.000000-354.000000-354.000000
Items recommended for one-time funding in FY24, including vehicles, onboarding expenditures, and recruit class expenses, will be eliminated from the base in the outyears.
Restore One-Time Lapse Increase0.000000816.000000816.000000816.000000816.000000816.000000
Labor Contracts0.0000003326.0000003326.0000003326.0000003326.0000003326.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
White Flint Fire Station 23 (P451502)0.0000000.0000000.00000098.000000258.000000258.000000
Subtotal Expenditures266795.000000270911.000000270911.000000271009.000000271169.000000271169.000000
Additional Documentation