Support Services Command
The Support Services Command takes care of things like keeping fire trucks in good shape, investigating fires, making sure buildings are safe from fires, managing special events, and training firefighters to be leaders.
Apparatus Maintenance
This team makes sure all the Department's vehicles work well. They buy, take care of, and fix all the:
- fire trucks,
- ambulances,
- support cars,
- and special units.
They're in charge of 669 vehicles and making sure 1,300 breathing devices work right for the Department's staff.
Fire Prevention & Life Safety
The Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division has been very important in making sure the County is safe from fires and other dangers. They do this by doing careful inspections to check for any safety problems. The division's main jobs include:
- managing and watching over all the steps of these important inspections,
- making sure everyone follows the laws,
- and keeping up with fire and life safety rules.
Office of the Fire Marshal, Fire Investigations and Bomb Squad
The Fire Marshal's Office-Fire Investigation Division works to keep the county safe. This team works hard to figure out where fires and potential explosive incidents started and why. They have:
- 12 fire investigators,
- 8 certified bomb technicians,
- and 4 PGPD Officers on the team.
They look into fires and suspicious incidents to try and bring charges against anyone who did something dangerous.
Operational Safety
The main goal of Operational Safety is to manage and stop workplace hazards. This involves communicating with command during emergency incidents and providing information and reviews about hazards and unsafe situations, in addition to creating a safe environment. The team also:
- investigates accidents and injuries to figure out ways to reduce them,
- educates station personnel about safe practices on and off the emergency scene,
- and helps the department in following all laws and standards.
Special Events
The main job of the unit is to provide Fire and EMS services during big events in the county, including venues like MGM, National Harbor, and Commanders Field for events like Washington Commanders game day. This includes:
- planning,
- estimating costs,
- and documenting expenses after the event for billing purposes.
Training and Leadership Academy
The Training and Leadership Academy (TLA) is a place that teaches people how to help others in emergencies. They focus on training for fire, rescue, and medical services. The academy works closely with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems to educate people in emergency care, like becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. Other organizations, like the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute, the Maryland Labor Board, and the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualification Board, also support the academy.