STATter 911: Fire chief for Frederick County, MD is a non-starter. Read TriData implementation committee report.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Fire chief for Frederick County, MD is a non-starter. Read TriData implementation committee report.

Read TriData implementation committee report

Watch Frederick County Board of Commissioners hearing on report (scroll to 53:31)

A long, interesting and lively discussion last night at a hearing of the Board of County Commissioners in Frederick County, MD. The topic was a report by TriData Corporation providing a Comprehensive Review and Master Plan for fire and EMS services in the county. Specifically it was the report on the report that was being discussed last night (click above to read it).

By far, the most controversial part of the report is the recommendation of a county fire chief. The Frederick County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association made its objections to this part of the report very clear.

There was testimony by a number of interested parties, including IAFF Local 3666 and Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services Director Gene Mellin.

It is a fascinating look at how a rapidly growing jurisdiction wrestles with providing fire and EMS services in a combined system.

In the end, the commissioners voted against having a county fire chief.

After much discussion on how to proceed, they also voted on each of the priority recommendations on page 13 of the report (below). From watching the video, I am reasonably certain (lots of different motions) they rejected numbers 2 and 3, sent 4 and 5 to county staff, and will entertain discussion on 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 at future dates.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 9:33 AM

Comments:

Yeah, can't bring the fire service out of the ranks of a social club. Fraternity with Fire Trucks forever!!!!!!!! Wooo-Hooo!

# posted by

Anonymous : October 8, 2008 4:05 PM

Inbreeding and illiteracy reign supreme in Frederick County.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 8, 2008 6:16 PM

The good ole' boy system is alive and well up here in Frederick County! The volunteers of Frederick are strong and will never give up the power. People do not respond from home or work in time to save many lives. Oh thats right the Career staff is on 95% of the ambulances! Please help others realize that it's not the 70's up here anymore! People pay a ton of taxes and are getting very little service. I have gear and a can in my garage thank god!

# posted by

Anonymous : October 8, 2008 7:37 PM

The volunteers (and I am one, so don't throw stones) need to realize that the fire service is getting too big, diverse, and dynamic not to accept the position of the county chief. Don't worry about losing power, worry that you have someone has the greatest interest of the taxpayers in mind. Bring on a county chief!

# posted by

Anonymous : October 9, 2008 11:26 AM

They don't care about anything but retaining their power. Uncle Jessie likes the fact he can order Cousin Cletus around and that he is king of the hill in his firehouse and all he has is an eighth grade edumacation.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 9, 2008 3:43 PM

All they may care about is retaining their power, but all you care about is gaining it. I wonder who is worse?

# posted by

Anonymous : October 10, 2008 12:52 AM