Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department

In 1742, the town of Bladensburg became the first governmental entity to pass a fire prevention ordinance. The simple ordinance stipulated that all residential and commercial buildings had to be equipped with a smoke chimney. In 1886, the town of Hyattsville organized the first volunteer fire company in the county. With a donated budget of $27, the fire company bought a two-wheeled hand truck equipped with a barrel, pump, and hose. Two years later, in 1888, the town of Upper Marlboro organized the Marlboro Fire Association following two major town fires. John C. Wyvill had the first fire station built at a cost of $342.

It wasn't until the 1930s that the County organized its fire services at is known today. The University of Maryland created a Fire Service Extension to train firefighters and is widely regarded as a focal point for fire training for departments located east of the Mississippi River.

In 1966 the county incorporated paid firefighters within its volunteer force based on the Yarger Study which stated:

• At least two "paidmen" at each station.
• All paid firefighters should be county employees.
• A unified command structure should be developed under the direction of a County fire chief.
• Fire communications should be consolidated under the County fire chief.

The Department of Fire Protection was created on June 14, 1968 which consumed all other previous fire organizations under a single command.[5]

In May 2009, the PGFD received local media attention following a massive natural gas explosion at a Forestville stripmall. PGFD Captain Robert Rouse (Engine 823) was one of 8 firefighters and 1 gas worker injured during the event.[6][7]

Engine 553 in the foreground, Ladder 55 in the background from the Mount Rainier and Cottage City Fire Companies, respectively

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department is composed of 4 distinct commands, Emergency Operations, Administrative Services, Support Services, and Volunteer Services. Each of the commands are headed by a Deputy Fire Chief (formerly known as Lieutenant Colonel) who reports directly to the Fire Chief.[8]

Battalions in Prince George's County

A PGFD EMS Ambulance in 2012

The Brentwood, Maryland fire station

The Emergency Operations Command (EOC) is the largest and most visible resource to the public. The EOC includes daily operations and of all emergency services, both Fire and EMS. The EOC incorporates both sworn career and volunteer Firefighter/EMT's. The EOC is further split into Northern and Southern Divisions. The dividing line between North and South within the fire department is Pennsylvania Avenue or Maryland Route 4. Within each division there are a set of battalions. Battalions 1, 2, 4, and 6 are located in the Northern Division and Battalions 3,5,and 7 are located within the Southern Division. "The PGFD's busiest service areas are located within Battalions 1, 3, and 5 which includes the area commonly bordered by the District line to the west, Central Avenue to the north, the Capital Beltway to the east, and Allentown Road to the South. These areas represent better than 60% of the PGFD's total calls for service, as they contain the highest population densities."[8]

Prince George's County is unique compared to some other DC COG jurisdictions in how it staffs its fire stations. Some stations are staffed completely by career personnel, some completely by volunteers, and most are a combination of both.

Most fire stations in Prince George's County have ambulances along with fire suppression pieces such as fire engines, trucks and rescue squads. The only stations with suppression staffing that do not provide EMS transport service are stations 828, (West Lanham Hills,) and station 837, (Ritchie.) When an ambulance is needed in 28 or 37's area the closest ambulance from the surrounding area will be dispatched. Most other volunteer companies that provide suppression staffing also provide ambulance staffing with the exception of station 833 which has completely volunteer provided suppression staffing, with an ambulance staffed 24/7 by career personnel on overtime.

• Official website