Program Description

  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 reduction programs and community outreach; develops and recommends capital improvement projects; manages and integrates information technology into the MCFRS' business processes; and recommends policy initiatives and programs to the County Executive.

The Office of the Fire Chief includes the Internal Affairs Section, Community Risk Reduction Section, the Planning Section, and the Public Information Office.

The Internal Affairs Section investigates complaints and serious violations of the personnel regulations and department policy and conducts procedural background investigations of applicants for firefighter/rescuer positions.

The Community Risk Reduction Section identifies and mitigates certain risks to the community in an effort to reduce the number of 911 calls. Initiatives include smoke alarm distribution, home safety visits for seniors, child safety seat installation and bicycle safety education.

The Planning Section is primarily responsible for the development of the Fire, Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, and Community Risk Reduction Master Plan and oversees the department's accreditation program. Among the tasks assigned to this office are the analyses of risk and historical emergency incident activity; monitoring development and growth to project strategic resource needs, facility placement, special operational requirements, and future workforce levels; performance measurement; and geographical incident data analyses and technical support.

The Public Information Office facilitates media relations, messages, and imaging/brand management and is responsible for disseminating information to the public on departmental programs and services; conducting outreach and fire safety education; and ensuring high quality customer service.