Time Again to 'Fill-the-Boot' for Muscular Dystrophy

Beginning today and continuing until Friday evening MCFRS will support International Association of FireFighters (IAFF) Local 1664 with it's efforts to collect for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

County Executive Leggett makes the first contribution 

The effort was kicked off yesterday at our Fire Station #34 with a contribution from County Executive Leggett as well as a Proclamation presented by Mr. Leggett to Fire Chief Scott Goldstein and IAFF Local 1664 President Jeff Buddle.
 
Thanks to the residents (and commuters) in Montgomery County, MCFRS is the leading Fill the Boot IAFF contributor in the Maryland and consistently has been one of the top contributors in the Country.  In the 30 year history of MCFRS supporting MDA, IAFF Career Fire Fighters Local 1664 has raised about $2.5 million!

So if you see our Firefighters out in the community over the next three days, please consider making a donation to help the cause.

All monies raised through “Fill the Boot” stays locally in the metro area to help support families dealing with neuromuscular diseases by providing research, wheelchairs, clinic treatments and most importantly allowing children to MDA Summer Camp for 1 week.

History of Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters and MDA

• Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, Local 1664, joined the fight against the more
  
  than 40 neuromuscular diseases by holding its first “Fill the Boot” campaign in 1984. 


• Since the first Fill the Boot campaign in 1984 till 2006 Montgomery County Fire Fighters would donate their “off duty” time for 3 days prior to the Labor Day weekend to conduct “Fill the Boot” at various intersections around Montgomery County. During this period Local 1664 raised $783,452.00. 


• In 2007, thanks to the efforts from Past President John Sparks, Past Fire Chief Tom Carr and then Division Chief Ritchie Bowers along with the support of County Executive Ike Leggett career fire fighters were given permission to participate in “Fill the Boot” while on duty. During the period from 2007 to 2014 Local 1664 has raised, $1,540,842.00


• Local 1664 is the largest contributing IAFF Local in the state of Maryland for MDA.  


• In 2007 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 5 in the country collecting over $234,000. 


• In 2008 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 9 in the country collecting over $206,000.


• In 2009 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 4 in the country collecting a record $254,102.


• In 2014 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 10 in the country collecting over $194,000.00. 


• In the 30 year history of Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters supporting the MDA, Local 1664 has raised $2,324,294.00


• Local 1664 also supports MDA by attending MDA Summer Camp in Leonardtown, MD. During Summer Camp, Montgomery County Fire Fighters bring a fire engine to camp for kids to tour and the Locals “Beef Brothers” provide dinner to approximately 150 children and counselors. 

Scott E. Goldstein Appointed Fire Chief

This afternoon, County Executive Ike Leggett announced the selection of Scott Goldstein as the next Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Chief.

Commented Mr. Leggett, "As a 25-year veteran of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Scott Goldstein has a thorough knowledge of our system and the many operations that keep it functioning at its high-level of service. His service as acting chief, since the retirement of Chief Lohr in January, has been exceptional. His experience at all levels of fire and rescue service at the local level and with major incidents across the country gives him a broad perspective on issues that could arise locally.” 

Fire Chief Goldstein's Bio via County Office of Public Information:

During his 25-year career with the Montgomery County Fire-Rescue Service (MCFRS), Goldstein has worked his way up the ranks, achieving increasingly higher positions of responsibility and gaining a broad base of experience. 

Before being named acting chief upon the retirement of Chief Steve Lohr on January 1, Goldstein was Division Chief of Operations , the second-highest position in the department. Under his leadership were multiple functions, such as Special Operations, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Communications (9-1-1) and Field Operations. The division had more than 900 personnel that provided services from 37 stations to more than one million County residents situated over 500 square miles. 

His previous position was Assistant Chief of Special Operations that involved daily management of fire-rescue personnel in the section serving in Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, Water Rescue and WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Response. 

Goldstein has experience in developing and coordinating MCFRS preventive and reactive response to mass gathering events such as pro golf tournaments, multi-day walks, the County Agricultural Fair and music festivals/concerts. 

He has participated in a number of disaster response operations, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11, hurricanes, and the 1996 bombing at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. 

Goldstein has an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Montgomery Community College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science from the University of Maryland, College Park and is a candidate for a Masters of Science in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

Acting Fire Chief Scott Goldstein on Proposed Budget

From our friends at MyMCMedia. Acting Chief Goldstein shares his thoughts on the proposed FY16 County budget:

 

County Breaks Ground for Travilah Fire Station; New Facility Scheduled for Completion in Late 2013

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Travilah Fire Station #32, which will be located in the northwest corner of the intersection of Darnestown and Shady Grove roads, one of the fastest growing areas in the County. The building is expected to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating by incorporating environmentally-sensitive design elements.

“Public safety is among my highest priorities, and the new Travilah Fire and Rescue Station will strengthen critical emergency services to our residents in an area of tremendous growth, with even more anticipated in the future,” said Leggett. “Montgomery County is committed to providing a level of fire and rescue response that rivals any in this country, and to live up to that standard, we must provide the facilities and equipment that enable our emergency responders to do the job.

“That’s why the Emergency Medical Services Transport Insurance Reimbursement Act is so critical, particularly as our County’s population continues to grow. The program will generate $18 million a year specifically earmarked for Fire & Rescue Services -- over and above Fire & Rescue’s current budget. In the first year, the additional funding will purchase two engines, a rescue unit, five ambulances and equipment for these vehicles; allow four-person staffing for eight engine companies, 13 ladder companies and four rescue squads; provide funding for facility maintenance and repair for every County-owned and volunteer fire station; provide personal protective equipment for career and volunteer firefighters; replace apparatus, such as engines, ladders, rescue and EMS units; provide maintenance, utilities and personnel for the new Travilah Fire Station; train and pay salaries for staff and new recruits; restore service reductions; and provide other essential resources.

“We need this money to ensure that our Fire and Rescue Service has the personnel and equipment to keep us safe as our needs grow. And the win-win for the County’s taxpayers is that the money will come from insurers – no County resident will ever get a bill and no County resident will ever pay a dime when they call for an ambulance.”

The new, state-of-the-art, one-story, 26,550-square-foot Travilah Fire Station will serve about 40,000 people within a 13-square-mile area that includes Traville, Fallsgrove, western Rockville, Travilah and North Potomac. The area’s population is expected to increase significantly with the planned development of the Johns Hopkins University Belward Campus, Life Sciences Center expansion, Crown Village community, Bright View Assisted Living Facility and mixed use development on the Public Safety Training Academy property.

The station will have four, 20- by 80-foot drive-through apparatus bays; living areas, including dormitory and bunk rooms, kitchen, dining, lounge and exercise rooms; a training room; administrative, battalion and storage spaces; a law enforcement office and a lobby area.

“Delivering outstanding fire and rescue service has long been one of the County’s highest priorities,” said Councilmember Phil Andrews, chair of the County Council’s Public Safety Committee. “The ideally located Travilah Fire Station, sited at two major roads in the center of a high call volume service area, will enable the County to meet the growing needs of the West Rockville, Travilah and North Potomac communities.”

“Today’s groundbreaking represents an important milestone,” said Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “Travilah Fire Station #32 will reduce critical response time while improving safety to the residents and businesses in this area of Montgomery County. The station is being built with the future in mind and will serve a vital role in the community for generations to come.”

To achieve the LEED rating, the building will incorporate sustainable design elements, including:

• Clerestory windows that reduce lighting needs by allowing daylight into most of the occupied spaces, as well as views to the exterior;
• Water-efficient plumbing fixtures;

• An energy-efficient building envelope and heating, ventilation and air conditioning design;

• Use of recycled and locally manufactured materials; and

• Environmentally sensitive design to reduce storm water runoff quantity and quality from the site.

The station will include a public parking lot on the south side, and a staff parking lot on the west. A 1.65 acre forest conservation easement will be preserved on the west side of the facility.

The architect for the renovation is PSA-Dewberry, Inc. The construction contractor is Dustin Construction, Inc. of Gaithersburg. The project should be completed late in 2013.

For more information about the Travilah Fire Station, go to the County’s website. 

Video streaming by Ustream ** From County Press Release ID: 12-226

Ambulance Reimbursement: An Important Message from County Executive Ike Leggett to County Resident's

Dear County Resident:

I want to inform you of an important issue facing the County that could have an adverse impact on every County resident.

 

Many of you are aware that the November ballot will contain County Question A. The Question gives voters the opportunity to decide whether County Council Bill 13-10: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport Fee, which passed in May, should remain law.

 

Under the law, the County would be allowed to recover ambulance transport costs from premiums already paid to insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid -- $14 million this year and $170 million over the next 10 years. All revenues would be dedicated, by law, to strengthen our Fire and Rescue Service. No County resident will ever get a bill for ambulance transport, co-pays or deductibles -- whether they have insurance or not.

The Montgomery Fire and Rescue Service will continue to serve anybody in need, regardless of ability to pay – whether rich or poor or in-between, whether County resident or not. Just like now. Nothing will change – except that our Fire and Rescue Service will have more resources in meet critical future needs for staffing, equipment, and to improve EMS response times.

Nearly every jurisdiction in the Washington region collects millions of dollars in ambulance reimbursements from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid – with no adverse effects. (Click here to see the Washington Post story on Thursday, “Area Fire Chiefs Back Ambulance Fee: 911 Calls Unaffected”)

 

Our neighbors are using those resources to save lives – and Montgomery County should do the same. We cannot afford to leave this money on the table.

 
The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County agrees. So too does the Montgomery County Fire Fighters and Paramedics, Local 1664. Click here to see editorials in The Washington Post and in The Gazette newspapers supporting County ambulance reimbursement.

There are basically three choices:

1.  Approve ambulance reimbursement from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid to bring in $14 million this year and $170 million over the next ten years;

2.  Reduce critical County services, including public safety; or

3.  Increase taxes.

I choose the first option. It just makes sense.

As I travel around the County, I meet many residents who have asked for facts and accurate information on the EMS Transport Fee. For more information, you can go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/emstransportfee.

Whatever your perspective, please vote in the upcoming general elections as they are critical to our ability to maintain Montgomery County as the special place it is today to live, work, play, and age with dignity. In addition to voting in person on Tuesday, November 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at your polling location, you may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballot request forms can be downloaded here and must be returned by October 26, 2010.

This year, for the first time, you may cast your vote at any one of the Early Voting Centers inthe County between Friday, October 22 and Thursday, October 28 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. (except Sunday, October 24). I urge you to consider joining the thousands of County voters who will be taking advantage of this highly efficient means of carrying out our civic duty.

Sincerely,

Ike Leggett
County Executive

An Important Budget Message from the County Executive to County Employees

Dear Fellow County Employee:

I want to inform you of an important issue facing the County that could have an adverse impact on every County agency and employee.

Many of you are aware that the November ballot will contain County Question A. The Question gives voters the opportunity to decide whether County Council Bill 13-10: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport Fee, which passed in May, should remain law.

Under the law, the County would be allowed to recover ambulance transport costs from premiums already paid to insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid -- $14 million this year and $170 million over the next 10 years. All revenues would be dedicated, by law, to strengthen our Fire & Rescue Service. No County resident will ever get a bill for ambulance transport, co-pays or deductibles -- whether they have insurance or not.

The County’s current year budget includes $14 million in revenue from the EMS Transport Fee. Two weeks ago, I forwarded a list of $14 million in proposed budget cuts (see link) to the Council. These reductions are unfortunate, but will be necessary if the EMS Transport Fee is not approved.

Council President Nancy Floreen said it well: “Given our already tight budget, any further cuts will echo across the County. Our obligation is to maintain a balanced budget. If residents vote against the ambulance fee, they will be voting for $14 million in cuts to services."

Nearly every jurisdiction in the Washington region collects millions of dollars in ambulance reimbursements from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid – with no adverse effects. They are using those resources to save lives – and Montgomery County should do the same. We cannot afford to leave this money on the table.

Unfortunately, all of you have felt the impact of the County’s increasing resource demands and decreasing revenue due to current fiscal constraints. To keep our emergency services strong and not adversely affect other critical services and programs and our overall workforce further, we need the additional revenue that the ambulance reimbursement will provide.

Many of you have asked for facts and accurate information on the EMS Transport Fee. For more information, you can go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/emstransportfee.

As always, thank you for all you continue to do every day to serve this County and help us weather the challenges we face.

Ike Leggett
County Executive

Photos From The New Central Maintenance Facility

I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for our new Central Maintenance Facility on Monday. This state-of-the-art facility was truly impressive and will help to keep the MCFRS fleet on the street!  Please take a moment and view some photos from the Central Maintenance Facility.


Stay Safe,
Bill

Keeping the Fleet on the Street

Ribbon Cutting to Open New Central Maintenance Facility

Monday, March 22, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.

14935B Southlawn Lane

Rockville, Maryland

ROCKVILLE, Maryland - - County Executive Ike Leggett, Public Safety Council Chair Phil Andrews, members of the County Council, Fire Chief Richard Bowers and other elected officials and distinguished guests will be on hand for the grand opening celebration of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s new Central Maintenance Facility. The media and community are invited to attend this grand opening and tours will be available at the conclusion of the ceremony.

“Keeping the fleet on the street is the basic mission of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service’s new Central Maintenance Facility,” commented Chief Bowers. “This state-of-the-art facility incorporates world class fleet management best practices and reinforces our commitment to provide innovative and cost effective solutions that increase efficiency and productivity while ensuring continuity of service to the residents of Montgomery County.”

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has consolidated its satellite fleet management shops into this new 77,000 square foot Central Maintenance Facility. As the call load in Montgomery County continues to increase, the new Central Maintenance Facility complex is well-positioned to meet the growing demand and ensure a well-maintained fleet in top operating condition.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is one of the nation’s largest combination (career/volunteer) fire service agencies in the Country operating with a budget of about

$194 million and over 2,000 personnel.

In 2007 the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service attained the distinguished Accreditation status through the Commission Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), which falls under the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is one of only 122 departments in the US and the largest combination, career and volunteer department in the nation to be accredited.

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