ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined Fort George G. Meade (FGGM) Garrison Commander Colonel Yolanda Gore today to sign two agreements between Howard County Government and FGGM, establishing effective firefighting and public works partnerships between the two to fortify the strength of each area. Pictures from the event can be found on the County’s Flickr website.
These two agreements emphasize our regional cooperation and desire to support our local military establishment to help strengthen its public safety and infrastructure so it can best serve and meet the needs of our nation’s military personnel who call it home. This is a win-win for all parties involved and I look forward to our continued partnerships with Colonel Gore and her team.
“The agreements we signed today are two more examples of the great and long-standing partnership between Howard County and Fort Meade. The signings are the combination of months of work between our staffs that will not only save our entities money, but also save lives in our community,” said Colonel Gore.
The renewed Mutual Aid Agreement between FGGM and the County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS), established a mutual aid firefighting operational partnership, which includes all-hazard emergency responses and emergency medical services, for the protection of life and property from all emergency hazards. Through this agreement, either side may be called upon and dispatched to assist the other in the area in which it normally provides firefighting activities. This agreement clearly lays out the chain of command requests for assistance must follow, the way assistance is rendered, the authoritative party in each incident, the conclusion of the response, and more.
“This partnership with FGGM reflects our dedication to innovation, efficiency, and most importantly, the safety of the people we serve,” said Fire Chief Louis Winston. “This agreement formalizes our shared commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening regional collaboration, and ensuring that our communities receive the highest level of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.”
“The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services is one of the best in the state. I look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship,” said Chief James Evans, FGGM Fire and Emergency Services.
In addition to the Mutual Aid Agreement, the County also signed an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) with FGGM. Under the IGSA, the County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will partner with FGGM for the solicitation of planning, procurement, design, and construction services. As these services will be procured through contracts the County maintains or through general public solicitation, the IGSA also calls upon DPW to provide project management support, that is, architects, engineers, designers, planning, technical, and construction services, in support of FGGM infrastructure. In turn, FGGM will compensate the County for administrative costs and services rendered through this IGSA. The agreement is for one year and may be renewed for up to nine optional successive one-year terms.
“This agreement is a great example of how government partnerships can maximize resources and expertise,” said Yosef Kebede, DPW Director. “By supporting Fort Meade with planning, design, and construction services, we are helping to strengthen the installation’s infrastructure while promoting efficiency and delivering high-quality results.”