Montgomery County Council's Staffing Cuts Jeopardize Public Safety

The Montgomery County Council's recent decision to eliminate all career firefighter positions at Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department (Station 9) has raised serious concerns about public safety in the region. This unprecedented move leaves the station staffed solely by volunteers, marking the first time in the county's history that a fire station operates without any career firefighters.

(www.fox5dc.com/news/positions-hyattsville-volunteer-fire-department-be-cut-following-county-budget-vote)

Background

On May 15, 2025, the Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, which included the removal of career staff from Station 9, aiming to save nearly $1 million annually. While the Council emphasized investments in education and social services, the decision to cut essential fire services has been met with criticism from both professionals and the community. This $1 million annual savings puts the life and safety of the Montgomery County public at risk when Montgomery County Public Schools increased their funding by $332 million to a total of $3.6 billion ($3,600 million).  The $332 million increase to MCPS is 10% greater than MCFRS' entire operating budget for FY25!  This should be a major concern to the citizens!

(www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Dept=1&Item_ID=47069)

Implications for Emergency Response and Response Times

One of the most immediate and alarming consequences of removing career staffing from Station 9 is the expected increase in emergency response times for the northern corridor of Montgomery County. Station 9 provides critical coverage for a largely rural and suburban area where mutual aid from surrounding stations may be delayed by both distance and availability.

Prior to these cuts, Station 9’s career personnel provided consistent, around-the-clock staffing. Without that backbone of reliability, calls for service now rely solely on the availability of volunteers. During low-volume times, such as overnight or weekdays, volunteer coverage can be thin or nonexistent — a factor that could add critical minutes to response times during structure fires, cardiac arrests, vehicle accidents, and other life-threatening emergencies.

For context:

• A fire doubles in size approximately every 30 seconds.
• Brain death begins approximately 4–6 minutes after cardiac arrest without CPR and defibrillation.

Even a two-to-four-minute delay can drastically affect outcomes. Residents in Hyattstown and the surrounding areas may now experience significantly longer wait times for help — a risk IAFF Local 1664 deems unacceptable.

(www.fox5dc.com/news/positions-hyattsville-volunteer-fire-department-be-cut-following-county-budget-vote)

(www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-volunteer-fire-department)

Community and Professional Response

IAFF Local 1664 has expressed deep concern over the Council's decision, highlighting the potential dangers of reduced staffing on public safety. The union emphasizes that while fiscal responsibility is important, it should not come at the expense of residents' safety. Community members and local leaders have also voiced their apprehensions, urging the Council to reconsider the staffing cuts and prioritize essential emergency services.

(www.facebook.com/MAKINTHEHIT/posts/thanks-to-the-montgomery-county-councils-decision-to-cut-public-safety-funding-r/1118273203665278/)

Conclusion

The elimination of career firefighter positions at Station 9 sets a concerning precedent for Montgomery County. As the community grapples with the implications of this decision, IAFF Local 1664 remains committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of both its members and the residents they serve.

(https://www.facebook.com/iaff1664/videos/-montgomery-county-deserves-better-empty-promises-and-now-an-empty-firehouse-cut/1347187293224068/)

The Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation has been working to support and assist Brother Higgins' family since Saturday night. Immediate needs of the Higgins family are continuing to be addressed.  As you know, Brother Higgins leaves behind his wife and two young kids.

The Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation has worked with the Higgins family to establish a fundraiser to support the family's long term needs. All funds will go to support the Higgins family.  Information about the fundraiser and a link to donate is on the attached flyer.  Please share the flyer and the fundraiser information far and wide to help support the Higgins family as they go through this unimaginable loss.

Please continue to take care of each other.

Master Firefighter Chris Higgins LODD Fundraiser.pdf