Fire Stations Across Howard County Achieve Big Goal: County Executive

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Officials announced Tuesday that all fire stations across Howard County are finally full staffed.

To reach this goal, which was set in 2019, the fire department has worked to fill multiple recruit classes, sometimes more than one a year. They had to fill 517 positions, which are part of a three-shift rotation of 172 each. That also allowed the county fire department to attain the National Fire Protection Association recommendation of a minimum of four personnel on all fire engines and ladder truck apparatus, and two on each ambulance, to ensure firefighter safety and enhance tactical effectiveness.

“Ensuring our communities are safe, strong and accessible for all has always been a priority of my administration,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Over the years, we have worked hard to fund our public safety departments to ensure they have the staff and resources they need to efficiently and effectively respond to each and every call for help. Reaching this staffing level not only achieves the gold standard in the fire industry, but by also increasing our overall human capital, we are able to be more financially responsible.”

Ball made the announcement during a tour of the county's fire stations, which included seeing the department’s new fire apparatuses and learning more about the equipment that will be added.

“Over the years, staffing has become a defining challenge faced by fire departments throughout the region,” said Howard County Fire Chief Louis Winston. “The continued financial support in ensuring our department is fully staffed and in replacing our aging fleet represents the community’s investment into the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works or visits Howard County as we continue to build a strong and resilient department.”

The new equipment being added to the force and to help equip the new Station 15 includes:

• Station 2 – Ellicott City: Battalion Chief-2, Command Truck; estimated in-service date October 2025
• Station 3 – West Friendship: Engine-31, Pumper Truck; estimated in-service date September 2025
• Station 5 – Clarksville: Engine-51, Pumper Truck; estimated in-service date September 2025
• Station 6 – Savage: Engine-62, Pumper Truck; estimated in-service date September 2025 - and Ambulance-65; estimated in-service date June 2026
• Station 10 – Rivers Park: Tower-10, Tower Ladder Truck; in-service July 2025
• Station 11 – Scaggsville: Engine-111, Pumper Truck; estimated in-service date September 2025
• Station 14 – Merriweather: Engine-141, Pumper Truck; estimated in-service date October 2025
• Ambulance-145; estimated in-service date October 2025
• West Friendship Annex: Battalion Chief-3, Command Truck; estimated in-service date December 2025
• Shift Commander/Assistant Chief 1 Electric Pick-Up
• Emergency Medical Services 110 Electric Pick-Up
• Two Ford Escape Hybrid 2025 SUV, staff pool replacements