Fire Department Makes Staffing Cuts to Offset Budget Shortfall

Full-time firefighters and medics will be re-assigned in Bowie and elsewhere, and more volunteers will be relied on as the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department makes budget cuts, officials announced Thursday.

“The current staffing plan has been evaluated and reassignment of a limited number of career personnel has been identified as an effective fiscal measure to help meet budget reductions and shortfalls while continuing to provide service in an efficient manner,” department spokesman Mark Brady said.

Under the new staffing plan, 12 firefighters will be reassigned to fill vacancies and reduce overtime costs.

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The plan drew swift criticism.

College Park city council member Patrick Wojahn, who is running for mayor, tweeted: “First you cut career staffing at @Branchvillefire, now you reduce staffing even more in the area. How will you maintain coverage?”

The four career personnel at the Riverdale Heights Fire/EMS Station will be reassigned on Oct. 4. They work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, with volunteer firefighters handling services at all other times.

Riverdale Heights will continue to provide fire and EMS services solely with volunteers, Brady said. They will be 10th station to be all-volunteer out of a total of 45 fire/EMS stations in Prince George’s County.

The Bowie-Old Town and Accokeek Fire/EMS Stations will have staffing cut by one firefighter per shift (four shifts) starting Sept. 20. The change means the two stations will lose dedicated staffing on the fire apparatus and ambulance, which could slow response times.