The Anne Arundel County Fire Department is poised to expand its workforce as it has been granted nearly $5 million in federal funding to enhance its capabilities. The $4.97 million awarded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will fund 26 additional EMT/firefighter positions over the next three years.
County officials have indicated that these new positions are essential for bolstering fire and emergency medical services across Anne Arundel County. They will also address specific recommendations highlighted in a recent evaluation of the department’s staffing requirements.
According to the firefighters union, while the grant meets some of the essential needs identified in the assessment, it is clear that further staffing enhancements are still necessary.
The union also emphasized that the federal funding is temporary and urged the county to continue investing in personnel to ensure that these new firefighters remain on the force once the grant funding concludes.
The organization pointed out that the department continues to fall short of nationally recognized staffing standards.
This federal assistance arrives at a time when Anne Arundel County has already been making strides to improve staffing within its fire department. Earlier this year, the county’s approved fiscal 2027 budget included additional positions aimed at staffing a new tanker in Jacobsville and a new fire truck designated for the Annapolis Neck and South County area.
Despite these additions, the union maintains that more personnel are essential to adequately meet community needs.
The SAFER program, managed by FEMA, aims to provide federal support to fire departments so they can increase or sustain the number of trained frontline firefighters available to serve their communities.
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