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Deadly Fire in Brentwood, MD, Raises Concerns about Station Closures

Nov. 27, 2024

Dozens of Prince George's County firefighters were sent elsewhere several months ago due to staffing shortages.

When someone reported a house fire in Brentwood just after midnight Sunday, the closest engine didn't respond because it wasn't staffed.

Firefighters who answered the call started hitting the fire within four minutes after they pulled in. But, union officials say they are concerned with station closures throughout Prince George's County, WRC reported..

Dozens of firefighters were pulled from four fire stations, including Bunker Hill, in June and moved to other stations in the county to deal with a personnel shortage.

“It means the fire house a mile closer than any other fire station did not have a fire truck to respond to that call,” said Grant Walker, an IAFF Local 1619 official

Prince George’s County Fire Chief Tiffany Green has said she moved the firefighters in an effort to address the shortage and excessive overtime

“What I saw last year was burnout, fatigue, mental and physical challenges due to these holdovers,” she said in June.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.