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Emergency Services Committee cites volunteer retention, radio coverage and ALS staffing among top priorities
Summary
The county’s Emergency Services Committee presented its annual report, highlighting rising call volume, volunteer retention issues (notably losses in years 2–3 of service), communications dropout areas that may require more towers or portable radios, and the need for master planning including consultant support.
The St. Mary’s County Emergency Services Committee presented its annual report Nov. 13, telling commissioners that rising call volumes, volunteer retention shortfalls and radio coverage gaps are the committee’s most pressing operational concerns.
Committee members said the county recorded roughly 13,000 emergency calls in 2006 and noted growth in fire and rescue responses across most volunteer companies. The committee’s analysis of length‑of‑service and recruitment data showed a notable retention dip in volunteers during their second and third years of service; overall retention over multi‑year cohorts was lower than the committee would like.
Committee members and public safety staff urged continued investment in recruitment and retention tools—scholarships, training in high schools, and outreach—and recommended further use of the county’s audit and data tools to match resource needs to growth. The report also noted ongoing work to resolve 800‑MHz communications dropout areas and to evaluate additional tower sites and portable radios to improve interoperability across county and neighboring jurisdictions.
Committee members emphasized the need for a master plan for emergency services; they recommended hiring consultant support to analyze long‑term needs and align volunteer capacity, capital equipment, training, and financing. The committee also discussed cooperative steps with the Naval District Washington to recruit graduating career‑tech students into county service.
The board thanked committee members for the report and asked staff and the committee to convene a special meeting on Advanced Life Support service options early in 2008 so the board may consider recommendations outside the normal budget cycle.
