Mission Statement

The mission of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is to create and enhance public safety through measures to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience.

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.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY27 Operating Budget for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is $311,700,388, an increase of $1,616,915 or 0.52 percent from the FY26 Approved Budget of $310,083,473. Personnel Costs comprise 84.11 percent of the budget for 1,383 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 1,385.01 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 15.89 percent of the FY27 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 $9,009,870 for general obligation debt and $7,378,200 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

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 FY26 estimates reflect funding based on the FY26 approved budget. The FY27 and FY28 figures are performance targets based on the FY27 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY28.

Initiatives

• Continue to assess MCFRS services through the lens of social vulnerability and resilience to determine service adjustments.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Improved capacity for emergency medical response with structural changes among the EMS supervisors; converted two daywork positions into shiftwork positions to guarantee staffing of Ambulance 715, and added a new transport unit at Fire Station 25 (Aspen Hill) - Medic 75.

• Created and deployed census tract-based analysis for critical emergency medical incidents to guide community risk reduction efforts.

• Implemented a management process that allows the department to monitor system health and resilience (PULSE).

• Created and filled two permanent civilian positions at the Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA).

• Hosted inaugural Girls' Camp, "Wired for Fire," to educate and encourage young women who may be considering fire/EMS vocations.

• Implemented a strategic plan for recruitment that improves the application and hiring process for MCFRS candidates and ensures MCFRS has access to a diverse and qualified pool of applicants.

• Developed a Volunteer Safety Officer program.

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 includes the Internal Affairs Section; the Community Risk Reduction Section; the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program; the Planning Section; and the Public Information...

  Operations

The Division of Operations 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 division is organized into four primary sections: Field Operations: the nearly 1,200 career employees who...

  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 includes Administrative Services, the Health and Wellness Section, and the Training Section. Administrative Services is responsible for personnel and labor related...

  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...

  Support Services

The Division of Support Services provides centralized administrative and management service and direction for support functions across the department. Core services include CIP and facility management, fleet services, technology services, and safety and supply.The CIP and Facilities Section is responsible for ensuring fire and rescue facilities are properly built...

  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;...