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WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD (September 28, 2026) – Washington County Government is pleased to announce that the Washington County Division of Emergency Services (DES) has been awarded approximately $4.7 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program.
The federal funding will enable Washington County to hire 24 additional career firefighters, representing a significant investment in the County’s fire and emergency response system while further strengthening the partnership between career personnel and Washington County’s volunteer fire and rescue companies.
The additional firefighters will be strategically deployed to improve staffing levels, strengthen emergency response capabilities, and enhance firefighter safety throughout Washington County.
“This $4.7 million SAFER Grant is an investment in the safety of our citizens and the firefighters who serve them,” said R. David Hays, Director of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services. “Adding 24 firefighters will allow us to place more trained personnel on emergency incidents sooner, strengthen our volunteer and career response system, and continue building a sustainable fire service capable of meeting the growing needs of Washington County.”
“Washington County is committed to providing our emergency responders with the staffing and resources they need to serve our community effectively,” said County Administrator Michelle Gordon. “This grant represents a significant investment in public safety and will strengthen our ability to provide a timely and effective emergency response while supporting the dedicated career and volunteer personnel who protect Washington County every day.”
The addition of 24 firefighters will help DES improve initial apparatus staffing and increase the number of qualified firefighters available during the critical first minutes of structure fires and other emergencies. Increased staffing will also reduce reliance on multiple responding companies to assemble an effective firefighting force and help ensure adequate resources remain available for simultaneous emergencies elsewhere in the County.
The SAFER Grant will further support Washington County’s ongoing efforts to improve compliance with nationally recognized staffing and response standards while enhancing the safety of both emergency responders and the public.
Washington County’s fire and emergency services system is built on a strong partnership among County career personnel, volunteer fire and rescue companies, and municipal public safety agencies. The new positions are intended to complement and strengthen that system by providing reliable staffing in areas where operational data demonstrates the greatest need.
Following completion of the County’s hiring process, successful candidates will undergo Washington County’s comprehensive firefighter training program before being assigned to operational positions.
“This award represents another major step forward for fire and emergency services in Washington County,” Hays said. “Our priority remains simple: put our citizens first, protect our firefighters, and ensure that when an emergency occurs, Washington County has the people and resources necessary to respond.”
Washington County thanks FEMA and its federal partners for recognizing the County’s staffing needs and supporting this important investment in public safety.
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