mh/fireorg.pr       97-249         Contact:  David Weaver, 301-217-6530

DUNCAN PROPOSES
REORGANIZATION OF
FIRE-RESCUE HIERARCHY         For Immediate Release: July 31, 1997


     Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced that he is
backing a task force recommendation to reorganize management of the County's career and
volunteer fire and rescue services.
      The proposal, which was crafted by members of the Fire and Rescue Commission
(FRC), the Fire Board, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS), and the Career
Officer's Association, broadens the authority of a revamped Fire and Rescue Commission and
creates the position of civilian fire administrator that will coordinate the Commission's
policies and procedures.  If approved, the plan would place the Department of Fire and
Rescue Services under the fire administrator's office.  
     "We have an outstanding fire and rescue service in Montgomery County," said
Duncan.  "I believe this plan will only make it stronger.  For the first time, we have a plan
that both sides -- career and volunteer -- have taken an active role in creating."
     Currently, Montgomery County's fire and rescue services consists of three separate
entities: the Fire and Rescue Commission, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services, and
19 volunteer community fire and rescue departments.  The FRC, by law, is charged with 
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FIRE-RESCUE REORGANIZATION                        2-2-2-2

adopting policies and regulations that establish  fire and rescue operational procedures,
 while direct emergency fire and rescue service is provided by the local fire corporations,
with staffing by DFRS (often referred to as "career") personnel and corporation volunteers.  
     Under the new proposal, the FRC would consist of seven voting members: two career
fire and rescue personnel, two volunteers, and three County residents who have no family or
business relationship with any career or volunteer fire and rescue worker.  Commissioners
would continue to be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County
Council, with each member serving three-year terms.  Current County law specifies only three
positions (one career, one volunteer, and one member representing emergency medical
services) which must be represented on the FRC. 
     The Office of the Fire Administrator would consist of a civilian administrator
(appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council), two operations
chiefs -- one career and one volunteer -- and other appropriate staff.  In addition to the
authority to implement and enforce the operational policies and procedures of the FRC, the
Fire Administrator would also have the authority to take any disciplinary actions necessary
against any career or volunteer fire and rescue worker who violates policies and procedures. 
The Fire Administrator would also serve as the non-voting chair (and ex-officio member) of
the Commission.
     Duncan will submit legislation to the County Council this week to restructure the
services.
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FIRE-RESCUE REORGANIZATION                        3-3-3-3

     The joint Fire/Rescue Service Review Task Force was created in December 1996 by
Duncan to look at how the current fire and rescue services organization could be improved,
while equally representing the concerns of both career and volunteer workers.
     In November 1996, a referendum placed on the ballot (Question E) that would have
given operational control of the Montgomery County fire and rescue services to a county fire
chief was defeated by County voters.
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