Baltimore County Wins $2.7 Million Grant to Hire New Firefighters

Plans to Expand Services to Support Growth at Tradepoint Atlantic

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Senator Chris Van Hollen today announced that the County has received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) federal grant for $2.7 million to hire 28 new firefighters in 2020. The funds will support the Department's expansion of services in Sparrows Point to support the growth at Tradepoint Atlantic. The County will provide $1.7 million in matching funds.

"Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our families and communities, and this new funding will go a long way toward supporting their mission and ensuring they can continue their exemplary service as our County grows," Olszewski said. "I'm grateful to Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, and our entire delegation in Washington, for supporting our application for funds and for their continued partnership as we build a better Baltimore County."

"Every day the men and women of the Baltimore County Fire Department put their lives on the line to keep our community safe. This funding will provide additional staff and resources to accomplish their mission. I was proud to join County Executive Olszewski in announcing this crucial funding today. I will keep working in the Senate to invest in our public safety and ensure our first responders have the tools they need," said Senator Van Hollen.

Accommodating Residential and Economic Growth

The Baltimore County Fire Department plans to expand services at the Sparrows Point Fire Station in order to accommodate the residential and economic growth associated with the development at Tradepoint Atlantic and the surrounding area. The federal funds will support the salary and fringe benefits of 28 new firefighters who will be hired in anticipation of the growing needs of the Department.

The Department anticipates hiring the new firefighters in 2020. The SAFER grant program is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and provides funds directly to fire departments to ensure they can maintain an adequate number of firefighters to effectively serve their communities.   

The Baltimore County Fire Department employs more than 1,000 paid emergency response personnel at 25 career stations. There are also 29 volunteer fire companies with more than 2,000 volunteers supporting them. Baltimore County firefighters and emergency medical technicians respond to more than 138,000 incidents each year.

Olszewski included a number of key investments in his first budget to support the work of the County's firefighters, including funds to equip all career stations with commercial-grade washing machines to clean gear of carcinogens and other residue, and a total of $1.5 million for the volunteer fire company grant fund.

The County's infrastructure deal with Tradepoint Atlantic, approved by the council last year, requires Tradepoint Atlantic to identify space onsite for the County to build a new fire station. Construction on a new station should begin by Fiscal Year 2022.