Fire fighters in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have reported that average emergency response times have risen to nine and a half minutes.
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 1619 has linked the delays to staffing shortages that have persisted despite ongoing population growth in the region.
IAFF noted that while the county’s population has grown by over 100,000 in the past decade, the number of fire fighters has not kept pace.
Union officials said this shortfall has affected both safety and operational performance across the department.
The IAFF completed a Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis in February to assess fire department operations.
The report identified multiple gaps in staffing, including the absence of dedicated crews for ladder trucks.
According to IAFF, this means crews are being reassigned from engines, leaving some apparatus temporarily out of service when a ladder truck is required.
The study concluded that at least 250 additional fire fighters are needed to restore the department’s response capability to acceptable standards.
Local 1619 President Grant Walker said: “The problem is that the fire department staffing has not increased enough to meet the demand.”
Walker added: “Because we do not have enough fire fighters, our data shows that our response time, on average, to an emergency is nine and a half minutes.”
He continued: “That’s five and a half minutes more than national safe firefighting standards recommend.”
4th District Vice President Andrew Pantelis said: “Prince George’s County Local 1619 has been sounding the alarm for years about the severe staffing shortage and the impact it’s had on response capabilities, safety, and department morale.”
Pantelis added: “The issues associated with understaffing will not get better on their own. The county needs to make good on its hiring promises.”
Pantelis stated that lower pay and benefits in Prince George’s County have made it harder to attract new recruits.
He said: “Records show many of the surrounding departments have higher starting salaries, making it difficult for the department to recruit and retain fire fighters.”
IAFF reported that the department has seen rising attrition rates in recent years.
In 2020, the Local reported 28 departures, while the current year has already recorded 66 fire fighters leaving their positions.
County officials have announced plans for three recruitment classes in the coming year, but it is uncertain whether these will be enough to reverse current staffing challenges.
Fire fighters in Prince George’s County have reported an average emergency response time of nine and a half minutes.
IAFF attributed the delays to a shortage of operational fire fighters in the region.
Local 1619 President Grant Walker stated that this exceeds the national standard by five and a half minutes.
A February 2025 IAFF GIS report found that ladder trucks are operating without dedicated staff.
Fire fighters are reassigned from engines to ladders when needed, reducing coverage.
The report recommended the immediate addition of 250 fire fighters.
4th District Vice President Andrew Pantelis stated that the union has raised concerns for years.
Pantelis added that low pay and benefits affect recruitment and retention.
IAFF reported 28 departures in 2020 and 66 so far in 2025.
County officials have scheduled three recruitment classes for the coming year.
