Washington County emergency services describe record call volumes during April storms; volunteer wildland teams deployed to multi‑county fires

Washington County’s emergency‑services officials told the Board of County Commissioners that last month’s storms produced an unprecedented surge in calls for service and that county volunteer wildland firefighting teams have spent significant time assisting neighboring counties.

David Hayes, director of emergency services, said a single period during the April storm generated what he believes may be the highest 24‑hour call volume in county history. Firefighters — both career and volunteer — along with the 9‑1‑1 center, fielded an extraordinary workload that required “all hands” response and extended staffing to restore services.

Ollie Griffith, who coordinates volunteer services and Washington County’s wildland teams, said county crews were dispatched to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to fight large wildfires that burned several thousand acres. Griffith reported that teams spent 36 to 48 hours on one incident and that wildland crews have been called into service in seven counties since March, logging more than 1,000 man‑hours. He said funding for those specialty teams largely comes from local volunteer fundraising and that additional county financial support would “go a long way” because these teams face dangerous conditions and heavy equipment and training costs.

Hayes and Griffith also acknowledged the Maryland Paper Company fire, which escalated to a three‑alarm response and required about 80 firefighters and roughly 45 pieces of apparatus to control. Hayes praised mutual‑aid partners — including Potomac Edison crews who brought vehicles to aid storm recovery — and thanked county staff and volunteers for sustained work during storm cleanup.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistical challenges during multi‑day deployments — including PPE laundering and rotation of personnel — and emphasized the need to maintain continuity of services while supporting volunteers. Griffith explained that the peak wildland season is March through May, with a second peak in November, and that volunteer organizations shoulder much of the funding burden for specialized training and equipment.

Hayes requested continued recognition of volunteer contributions and possible funding assistance; no new funding commitment was adopted during the meeting. Commissioners thanked first‑responders, acknowledged the scale of the response, and encouraged outreach to citizens about safety during storm and wildfire seasons.

The county also showcased photos of large fire incidents in the meeting packet and discussed mutual‑aid mechanisms used for cross‑jurisdictional responses.