Md. firehouse hazmat cleanings, equipment replacements could top $260K after misconduct allegations

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• • Baltimore County (Md.) officials said the cost of hazmat cleanings and equipment replacements at fire stations could exceed $260,000 amid an employee misconduct investigation.
• • The county ordered deep cleanings of all career fire stations and replacement of ice machines after allegations of inappropriate conduct by a fire department employee.
• • The work includes sanitizing shared spaces and equipment following concerns about biological contamination, officials said.
• • The misconduct case and related departmental actions remain under investigation.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Baltimore County officials said the cost of hazardous materials cleanings and equipment replacements at fire department facilities could exceed $260,000 following an internal misconduct investigation, according to estimates reviewed by local media.

The county sought proposals in early December for biohazard cleanup services covering high‑touch surfaces, living quarters, kitchens and other spaces at all 25 career fire stations and fire department offices, officials said.

Deep cleaning began Dec. 4 at several stations and has involved professional sanitization of shared areas, department emails show.

In addition to cleanings, the county ordered the replacement of more than two dozen ice machines across facilities, with each unit quoted at about $7,000 installed.

The cleaning and equipment work followed allegations of inappropriate behavior by a Baltimore County Fire Department employee that prompted concern among staff about the safety of shared spaces. The incident remains the subject of a criminal and internal investigation.