2024 Annual Report

Trainee Classes 37 and 38 Graduate

On February 23, 2024, 35 students from Trainee Class 37 graduated from the academy and began their roles as firefighter recruits. In April, Trainee Class 38 started their training journey, and 37 recruits graduated on November 15, 2024.

Sean Alliger Promoted to Deputy Chief

After 27 years with the department, Sean Alliger was promoted to Deputy Chief. Starting as a Firefighter, he worked his way through the ranks, leading bureaus like the Fire Marshal, Emergency Services, and Logistics. Chief Alliger also held leadership roles within local firefighter associations. A long-time Howard County resident, he’s committed to serving the community.

Promotions and Retirements

This year, 39 department personnel were promoted, including four new Assistant Chiefs. Additionally, 11 staff members retired from service.

In Memory of Two Volunteer Chiefs

In January 2024, Chief Mickey Day of the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department passed away, leaving behind a legacy of over 40 years of commitment and dedication to public safety.

In June 2024, former Chief Ray Wines of the Savage Volunteer Fire Company also passed away. He had been a member of the company for nearly 40 years, having joined at the age of 16 and held every officer position.

Class 10 Paramedic Program Graduates

Four HCDFRS personnel, along with two students from the U.S. Virgin Islands, graduated from our 19-month Paramedic Program as registered paramedics. The program included 1,906 hours of training, covering anatomy, pharmacology, trauma care, and more, through classroom learning, clinical rotations, and field internships.

Teamwork In and Out of the Fire Station

In January, the Howard Heat hockey team won its second consecutive championship at the Orlando Firefighter Hockey Club's charity tournament. In September, four of our teams competed in a national softball tournament, taking home the Sportsmanship Award and raising awareness for muscular dystrophy.

Shift Commanders Introduced

In August, HCDFRS implemented three new Shift Commander positions at the Assistant Chief level. With the growth of the department and community, these Commanders manage field operations, mentoring, training, and special projects to ensure the highest level of operational readiness.

Partnership Successes

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball worked with HCDFRS and other agencies to expand STOP THE BLEED training to Howard County Public Schools staff. The county also added 17 new AED SaveStations in regional parks to provide 24/7 access to life-saving equipment.

Whole Blood Program Marks One Year

Launched in September 2023, the Whole Blood Program equips EMS supervisors to administer whole blood transfusions to trauma patients. As of December 2024, there have been 20+ transfusions through this initiative.

Drone Program Begins

The Office of the Fire Marshal launched a drone program this year. Drones are now used in fire investigations and pre-incident planning.

Members Deployed for Storms Helene and Milton

Howard County members of Maryland Task Force-1 (MDTF-1) and Maryland Army National Guard Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (MD-HART) member Firefighter Christopher Thompson were deployed to North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Team members assisted with search and rescue missions, and food and water drop-offs during their assignments. During Hurricane Milton, five MDTF-1 members were deployed to assist residents in Florida.

Commitment to Health and Wellness

HCDFRS partnered with Ready Rebound, a service that provides quick access to medical specialists for our personnel and their families. They guarantee appointments within 72 hours of an injury. Additionally, our new mobile app, Lighthouse, offers mental health support and resources for staff and their families.

CPR Classes Now Offered in Spanish

This year, the Community Outreach team started offering CPR classes in Spanish, making life-saving skills accessible to more community members.

Townhouse Fire in Jessup – January 5

Units were alerted for a fire in the 8900 block of Rosewood Way in Jessup. Upon arrival, fire was found through the roof of a three-story townhouse. The fire was placed under control within 30 minutes and serious damage to the adjoining homes was prevented. One resident and one firefighter were transported to area hospitals for minor injuries.

School Bus Crash in Columbia – February 8

HCDFRS responded to an overturned school bus in the 7300 block of Old Columbia Road in Columbia. Of the 19 children on the bus, four were transported to a local hospital.

Mount Airy Garage Fire - March 17

Firefighters responded to a house fire in Mt. Airy, finding heavy flames from a detached garage that spread to nearby brush. While on scene, part of the building collapsed onto a firefighter, leading to a mayday call. The firefighter was quickly rescued, transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening leg injury, and released later that day. The fire was successfully contained, with no further injuries reported.

Brush Fire Near Robinson Nature Center – March 20

Units arrived on the 7500 block of Grace Drive in Columbia to find a large brush fire near the Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. Crews worked to extinguish the blaze and avoided any damage to the building.

Fatal Fire in Columbia - March 20

Firefighters responded to a townhouse fire on Shell Flower Lane in Columbia with reports of a trapped victim. Upon arrival, they found fire on the second floor and quickly began a search. Crews located one deceased victim. The fire was controlled in about 20 minutes, and two additional people were taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Marriottsville House Fire - June 21

Crews were dispatched to the 1200 block of Sugar Maple Drive in Marriottsville for a house fire. Crews were able to quickly place the fire under control. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, and one civilian was evaluated and released at the scene.

40 residents Displaced Following Two-Alarm Fire in Elkridge – July 27

Crews arrived within minutes of the first 911 call and encountered fire conditions on the second, third, and fourth floors of the structure. The incident commander quickly requested a second alarm, summoning additional firefighters and equipment to bolster the firefighting effort. The fire was placed under control in about an hour. A total of 14 apartments sustained heavy damage and were deemed uninhabitable, displacing approximately 40 residents. Three pets, two dogs and a cat, perished in the fire. 

Garage Fire in Ellicott City – August 7

Firefighters responded to a house fire on Paul Harris Court in Ellicott City, finding heavy flames from the attached garage. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes. Investigators ruled out the gas-powered vehicle in the garage as the cause.

Mass Food Poisoning in Jessup – October 21

HCDFRS responded to the 7700 block of Chesapeake Bay Court in Jessup for the report of multiple patients with food poisoning after allegedly eating the same food. Forty-six adult patients were evaluated and transported to multiple area hospitals; all patients were non-critical. Mutual aid was provided by Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties.

House Fire in Elkridge – November 9

Firefighters responded to a house fire on Furnace Avenue in Elkridge, arriving to find fire from the home's second floor. The fire was brought under control in about 15 minutes. Five adults, one child, and one pet were displaced.

Hazmat Investigation in Fulton – November 18

HCDFRS’ Special Operations Team responded to Reservoir High School to investigate a vial labeled “Uranium” in a box of donated lab equipment. Hazmat technicians determined the levels of radiation from the vial were non-hazardous. At the time of the incident, school had already been dismissed for the day.

Highland Garage Fire – December 23

Crews responded to a structure fire in the 6600 block of Isle of Skye Drive in Highland. Upon arrival, crews found visible fire showing from the garage. The fire was quickly brought under control and was contained mainly to the garage area. All residents were able to evacuate before HCDFRS arrival.

Fire Seen Through the Roof in Columbia - December 25

Firefighters from Howard and Montgomery counties responded to a house fire in the 10700 block of Hunting Lane in Columbia. When units arrived on scene, flames were seen through the roof of the house. All occupants evacuated prior to fire department arrival. The fire was quickly brought under control and no injuries were reported.

Take a look back at some of the positive moments of 2024 here.