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Can Someone Explain PGFD to Me?
Coming from metro-Chicago I don't understand whatsoever what's going on in PG County. So, the County Fire Department has all the full-time firefighters and from what I'm gathering supplies the ambulances, but the volunteer FD's supply additional manpower, stations and the firefighting apparatus? Am I anywhere close to accurate? And where do the volunteer Chiefs come in? You have a Chief of the entire PGCFD, Majors that run as what I know as Battalion Chiefs but then you still have all ranks of volunteer officers as well, including Chiefs? If there is an overall chief what do the volunteer chief's do? I'm trying to understand this but it's not making sense to me given how departments are structured around here. Can someone help?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Harve Woods on
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Prince George's County Maryland, to use the proper name, is not like anything else, so don't lose any sleep trying to understand it. We've been developing this system for almost 50 years now, and we're still adapting to changing times. Origonally, the County was protected by about 35 totally independent Volunteer Fire Departments, all of whom owned their own buildings and Apparatus. As time passed, it became necessary to hire Paid Firefighters to cover daytime responses when most Volunteers were working their regular jobs. Eventually, the County assumed responsibility for Hiring, Training, and paying the costs of the Career Staff, but they continued to be assigned to the Volunteer Stations and use Volunteer Apparatus, as they still do today. The Chain of Command integrates Career and Volunteer Officers by Rank, not by Career Status. Starting from the bottom it's Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Volunteer Chiefs, Division Chief, Majors, Lt. Cols (Deputy Chiefs) and the County Chief. Volunteers serve in all ranks up to/including Majors. (Majors are Shift Commanders) It works very well for us, and it's the most cost effective model that exists for Large Area departments. You need to drop in for a visit sometime.........
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Permalink Reply by Chris Sterricker on -
Thanks Harve, that makes more sense now. I was actually born on Andrew's AFB and lived in Hillcrest Heights as a small child. Still have some family in Maryland so I have some interest in what's going on out there. Just trying to understand it better. Thanks, be safe.
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