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Annapolis Fire Department reports lower 2024 fire-loss valuation, strategic plan and staffing updates
Summary
Deputy Chief Nathan Powell reported the department responded to 13,626 incidents in 2024 (about 75% EMS), recorded fire loss valuation of about $450,000 in 2024 (down from approximately $2.5 million in 2023), and described a new strategic-planning effort and staffing/training notes including vacancy status and academy commitment terms.
Deputy Chief Nathan Powell of the Annapolis Fire Department briefed the Public Safety Standing Committee on 2024 call volumes, fire-loss valuation and the department's strategic planning and staffing status.
The department responded to 13,626 incidents in 2024, Powell said, with roughly 72–76 percent of calls typically EMS-related; in 2024 about 75 percent of responses were EMS. He presented a fire-loss dollar valuation for 2024 of about $450,000, down from more than $2.5 million the prior year.
Operationally, Ward 4 is primarily residential with some light commercial occupancies; Powell said the department does not currently have major accessibility challenges within Ward 4, though Forest Drive traffic can be a factor. The department is monitoring the Crystal Springs Farm project and how future development might affect service delivery.
Powell described a new strategic-planning effort led by Deputy Chief Lopez in partnership with the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The department has formed a cross-section committee and will circulate internal and external stakeholder surveys, with a goal of producing a draft strategic plan by September.
On staffing and training, Powell said the department currently has four firefighter vacancies but also has four candidates who have tentatively accepted offers. He said the department requires a commitment as part of onboarding for the initial academy training (a prorated payback if someone leaves early), and confirmed two firefighters recently began paramedic school. Powell said he would follow up with exact details on paramedic-school commitment language.
