Article III. Operations.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-8 (2026)
Sec. 21-8. Integrated Emergency Command Structure.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The County Executive, after receiving Commission approval under Section 21-2(d)(4), must adopt by regulation an Integrated Emergency Command Structure (IECS) that is consistent with the National Incident Management System and applies to all IECS certified providers of fire, rescue and emergency medical services, on all emergency incidents. The Chief regularly must review the IECS regulation and propose amendments as necessary.
(b)
The IECS must retain and actively encourage volunteer participation at all levels of the chain of command under the Fire Chief. Volunteers who meet the requirements and standards of experience and training must be eligible to advance to all levels of the chain of command and must not be treated differently from employees of equal rank under the IECS.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-8A (2026)
Sec. 21-8A. Standardized Incident Management System.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The County Executive must establish by regulation, after receiving Commission approval under Section 21-2(d)(4), a Standardized Incident Management System that is:
(1)
based on nationally recognized incident management systems for fire and rescue operations; and
(2)
compatible with the National Incident Management System.
(b)
The Standardized Incident Management System must apply throughout the Fire and Rescue Service, including the local fire and rescue departments.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-9 (2026)
Sec. 21-9. Disaster plan.LinkCopy Citation
The County Executive, by regulation issued after receiving Commission approval under Section 21-2(d)(4), must establish and maintain a fire and rescue disaster plan that provides an integrated chain of command compatible with the Standardized Incident Management System and the Integrated Emergency Command Structure.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-10 (2026)
Sec. 21-10. Response areas.LinkCopy Citation
The Fire Chief, after receiving Commission approval under Section 21-2(d)(4), must establish response areas served by each fire or rescue station that collectively cover the entire County. The boundaries of a response area are generally the mid-points in road distances between that station and the nearest fire or rescue stations. However, the response area boundaries must consider geographic or other features that affect dispatch operations.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-11 (2026)
Sec. 21-11. Communications procedures and dispatch times.LinkCopy Citation
The Fire Chief, after receiving Commission approval under Section 21-2(d)(4), must establish comprehensive and consistent communications and dispatch procedures that maintain appropriate allowable dispatch times for all fire and rescue units and promote public safety.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-12 (2026)
Sec. 21-12. Master fire, rescue, and emergency medical services plan.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Fire Chief must draft a master fire, rescue, and emergency medical services plan and must propose any appropriate amendments to the Executive and Council. The master plan must include at least:
(1)
a survey of the resources and personnel of existing fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, and an analysis of the effectiveness of the fire and building codes;
(2)
an analysis of short- and long-term fire prevention and control needs and emergency medical services needs;
(3)
a plan to meet the fire prevention and control and emergency medical services needs;
(4)
an estimate of cost and realistic plans for financing the implementation and operation of the plan on a continuing basis, and a summary of problems anticipated in implementing the plan;
(5)
a definition of the current and future fire protection and emergency medical environment by establishing and maintaining a comprehensive data base;
(6)
a definition of goals and objectives for service levels;
(7)
identification and justification of the resources and technology necessary to develop and operate the fire protection and emergency medical system as recommended by the plan;
(8)
a detailed program of action to implement and maintain the system as recommended by the plan; and
(9)
a program of action to coordinate with the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the County’s fire prevention and control and emergency services resources into County-wide, regional, State, and national emergency management plans.
(b)
The Fire Chief must draft the master plan and any amendments in coordination with the Commission, the local fire and rescue departments, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the health systems planning agency, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, other County departments, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and any other interested parties. The County Council, the Commission, and any local fire and rescue department may ask the Fire Chief to consider an amendment to the plan at any time. The Fire Chief must conduct at least one public hearing before proposing any significant amendment. The County Executive must forward the master plan or any amendment proposed by the Fire Chief, along with any comments, to the County Council, which may approve the master plan as proposed or with amendments.
(c)
The master plan must serve as a guideline for the Executive, Council, and Fire Chief in making decisions regarding delivery of fire and rescue services, does not have the force of law, and does not impose any legal obligation on any party.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-13 (2026)
Sec. 21-13. Temporary transfer of apparatus.LinkCopy Citation
The County Executive, after receiving Commission approval under Section 21-2(d)(4), must adopt a regulation establishing policies for the long- or short-term transfer of apparatus. The Fire Chief, when authorized by regulation, may transfer any apparatus purchased in whole or in part with tax funds, including any apparatus titled to a local fire and rescue department. The Chief must provide as much advance notice as possible before transferring apparatus. The regulation must not require the transfer of any apparatus that was not purchased with any County tax funds, except in an emergency.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-14 (2026)
Sec. 21-14. Assumption of command by County government.LinkCopy Citation
The County Executive or a designee may assume operational and administrative command of any facility or apparatus of a local fire and rescue department that provides fire, rescue, or emergency medical services under Section 21-5 if the Executive finds that the local department is unable or refuses to provide fire, rescue, or emergency medical services in accordance with this Chapter. Except during a public emergency, the Executive must give the local department a reasonable opportunity to respond before assuming command. This assumption of command may continue until the County Council by resolution, after consulting the Fire Chief and Commission, directs otherwise.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 21-15 (2026)
Sec. 21-15. Performance auditing.LinkCopy Citation
The County Executive, the County Council, the Commission, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Fire Chief, or their designees, may conduct performance audits of any local fire and rescue department to make budget, management, or legislative recommendations. An audit must be conducted in a reasonable manner with as much advance notice as feasible. Officers, members, and employees of each local fire and rescue department must cooperate fully and provide any data requested by the auditor.