By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Somerset County volunteer fire chiefs voted unanimously on June 11 to formally request that county officials allow county EMS workers to assist on fire department calls, citing severe staffing shortages and the fact that EMS crews frequently arrive first at emergency scenes.
- Current county policy prohibits county EMS personnel from assisting volunteer fire companies despite approximately two-thirds of EMS workers being cross-trained as firefighters, according to fire chiefs.
- Somerset County took over EMS operations last year, and relations between county administrators and volunteer fire departments have remained tense since the transition, with previous directives instructing EMS staff to avoid involvement with fire operations.
- John Barnette, president of the Somerset County Fire Chiefs Association, told commissioners that cross-trained EMS workers could assist with non-life-threatening duties such as moving hoses and providing support at vehicle crashes without compromising their medical responsibilities.
- County Commissioner Charles Laird indicated the commissioners would review the policy with EMS leadership, and Barnette reported that officials have agreed to allow EMS assistance with limitations.
SOMERSET COUNTY, MD. — Volunteer fire chiefs in Somerset County are pressing county officials to revise a policy that prevents county EMS workers from assisting on fire department calls, despite those workers arriving first at most emergency scenes and many holding dual firefighting credentials.
The Somerset County Fire Chiefs Association voted unanimously on June 11 to request the policy modification from county commissioners. The request addresses a staffing crisis affecting volunteer fire departments across the county, with EMS crews often on scene before fire companies can respond.
John Barnette, president of the fire chiefs association, told the Somerset County Commissioners on Tuesday that the current prohibition wastes trained resources. He stated that EMS personnel arrive before fire trucks approximately 99 percent of the time and that roughly two-thirds of county EMS workers hold firefighter certifications, with Barnette saying he personally trained approximately half of them.
The issue gained prominence following a barn fire about two months ago on Peggy Neck Road, where an ambulance arrived before Station 5 fire trucks. EMS workers initially assisted in firefighting efforts before being instructed to stop, according to Barnette. He said the workers were told they could not touch hoses or assist with suppression operations.
County policy restricting EMS involvement with fire operations stems from tensions that arose when Somerset County assumed control of EMS services last year. During a February 24 special session with county commissioners, fire officials raised concerns about transparency and communication between county EMS leadership and volunteer fire companies. County Commissioner Charles Laird stated at that time that EMS leaders Ken Dixon and Cory Polidore “should have nothing to do with the fire companies” and assured fire officials that EMS would not interfere with fire department operations.
Barnette clarified that fire chiefs are not asking EMS workers to enter burning buildings without protective equipment or abandon medical duties. Instead, he said, EMS personnel could assist with ancillary tasks including moving hoses, providing scene support at vehicle crashes, and other duties that would not compromise their ability to provide medical care.
Barnette told commissioners that fire departments across the county face chronic understaffing. Having trained EMS workers standing by without being permitted to assist represents a loss of operational capacity during emergencies, he argued.
County Commissioner Laird noted during Tuesday’s meeting that the fire chiefs’ request represented a significant shift from earlier concerns that county EMS would overreach into fire department operations.
Following the meeting, Barnette reported that commissioners indicated they would review the policy with EMS leadership, with Cory Polidore, who now leads county EMS operations, expected to participate in discussions. Barnette stated that officials have agreed in principle to allow EMS personnel to assist on fire calls, though with specific limitations to be determined.
County commissioners and EMS officials did not respond to requests for comment regarding the timeline for policy implementation or specific parameters under which EMS workers would be permitted to assist.