Volunteer and career fire officials warn staffing and funding gaps threaten EMS response

Leaders for Baltimore County volunteer fire companies and the county's professional firefighters urged the county to prioritize funding for fire and emergency medical services at the town hall, warning that rising call volumes, recruitment and retention challenges, and aging equipment are straining response capacity.

Laurie Taylor Mitchell, founder of the Student Support Network, and speakers from volunteer fire organizations described community needs, but firefighter leaders supplied operational detail. Andrew Borham, vice president of the Baltimore County Volunteer Firefighters Association, said a 23% increase in requests for service has not been matched by funding increases and highlighted the frequent occurrence of a “stand by for a medic” — meaning no ambulance is immediately available. “We are at critical mass for the fire and EMS service in this county,” Borham said.

Eileen Andreas, president of the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company, described capital and facility needs, noting new fire engines cost about $1,000,000 and ladder trucks approach $2,000,000; she urged reinvestment in training, station maintenance and cancer‑exposure mitigation in gear and living quarters. Steve Redmer, president of the Baltimore County Professional Firefighters Association, asked for proper funding to provide “the most basic core services” the county must provide.

Speakers requested increased funding for volunteer loan funds that help volunteer companies purchase apparatus, enhanced recruitment and retention efforts, capital investments to replace aging stations and equipment, and attention to training and firefighter health and safety.