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Committee recommends Velmetria Michaelides as Prince George’s County fire chief, 5-0
Summary
The Health, Human Services & Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to move the appointment of acting Fire Chief Velmetria Michaelides forward after members highlighted her operational and community-outreach experience and early steps to address staffing and accreditation.
The Prince George’s County Council Health, Human Services & Public Safety Committee voted 5-0 to move forward the appointment of acting Fire Chief Velmetria Michaelides to the permanent position.
The nomination, transmitted by the county executive’s office on Aug. 29, 2025, was presented by Danielle Hunter, appointment liaison in the county executive’s office, who cited Michaelides’s more than 26 years in fire service, leadership roles in operations and community outreach, and a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University. Deputy B.J. Harris described Michaelides as “a leader who listens” and “a mentor” to department staff.
Committee members praised Michaelides’s record and recent operational initiatives. Michaelides told the committee she had focused on restoring an employee-first culture during her time as acting chief and listed immediate steps taken since her appointment: two recruit schools in the near term with multiple graduating classes scheduled (one mid-November and another in late November, with a larger class set to graduate in March 2026), a commitment to staff 30 firehouses with six personnel each under the collective bargaining agreement, and staffing for Station 843 in Bowie expected by Sept. 21, 2025.
She told the committee she had promoted seven technicians and four lieutenants on Oct. 3 to avoid losing promotional candidates whose lists were near expiration. Michaelides also said the department achieved candidate-agency status through the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is pursuing accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International; if completed, the department would be the fourth such agency in Maryland. The chief outlined unit- and station-level inspections performed twice weekly, a wellness app for department personnel, plans for youth outreach including a 2026 “Camp Trailblazer” targeting school-age girls, and renewed engagement with volunteer corporations.
Chair Blige, Vice Chair Fisher and other committee members said they had personal and professional experience with Michaelides and voiced strong support for her leadership. Vice Chair Fisher said the committee had seen Michaelides’s commitment to residents during the COVID-19 vaccine campaign and added, “I’m really grateful not only to your leadership and knowing how special it is, especially to have a female fire chief.”
A motion to move the appointment favorably carried 5-0. The committee’s roll call recorded Chair Blige (yes), Vice Chair Fisher (yes), Council Member Olson (yes), Council Vice Chair Oriada (yes) and Council Member Watson (yes).
