2025 Annual Report

Jeremy Clancy Promoted to Deputy Chief

After 20 years with the department, Jeremy Clancy was promoted to Deputy Chief. Starting as a firefighter, he worked his way through the ranks, leading bureaus like the Fire Marshal and Emergency Services. Chief Clancy has been on the Special Operations team since 2005 and is a long-standing member of Maryland Task Force One as a Hazmat Specialist. He is a seasoned instructor in the area of hazardous materials and biological hazard response and was the pioneer of Howard County’s hazardous materials permitting program.

Beacon Joins the Department as Newest Arson Accelerant Detection Canine

In September 2025, Beacon, a black Labrador, began working alongside his handler, Captain Craig Matthews, in our Office of the Fire Marshal. Together, they will respond to about 80 fire scenes every year.

Trainee Class 39 Graduates

On August 22, 2025, 23 students from Trainee Class 39 graduated from the academy and began their roles as firefighter recruits. HCDFRS is now fully staffed; meeting the national gold standard for apparatus staffing with 517 personnel covering 114 seats every day across three shifts.

Promotions

This year, 20 department personnel were promoted, including two new Assistant Chiefs.

In Memory of Former Fire Chief Richard Shaw

In June 2025, Chief Richard W. Shaw, Fire Administrator (retired), passed away. Chief Shaw led our department from 1985 to 1991 and was a life member of the Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department.

Department Recognizes Outstanding Citizens for Water Rescue

In June 2025, multiple 911 callers reported a kayaker screaming for help in Centennial Lake. A civilian on the shore dove in and rescued the patient. With the assistance of two Howard County Recreation and Parks employees, the kayaker was rescued.

Station 15 Progress

Construction drawings for the new fire Station 15, located on Route 108 in Ellicott City, are currently under review. Both the land transfer and use agreement with the Board of Education, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding with HCPSS, are pending approval.  A successful community meeting was held on July 29, 2025, to share updates and gather feedback on the project.

Tunnel Rescue Technicians in Place 24/7 During Ellicott City Project

The Ellicott City North Tunnel project has presented a unique challenge to HCDFRS rescue crews in the event of an tunnel rescue incident. To ensure specialized rescuers are available at a moment's notice should the need arise, the department has trained 69 Tunnel Rescue Technicians.

Department Implements Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program

Howard County began the Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program in 2024 to help find cancer early among firefighters. With support from the Maryland Department of Health, the program expanded through grant funding and offered free, confidential ultrasound screenings. Of the 670 eligible firefighters, 346 took part, which is a 52% participation rate. The screenings found possible cancer markers in some participants, leading to follow-up testing, heart screenings, and access to counseling and health support. HCDFRS is using this program to better protect the long-term health of our firefighters.

Residential Fire in Ellicott City - January 6

Units responded to the 3500 block of Kingston Court in Ellicott City for a residential fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a single-family home with fire showing from the front of the building. The fire was on the first floor and extended down to the ceiling of the basement. It took firefighters approximately thirty minutes to get the fire under control. Several units from Carroll and Frederick Counties responded to this incident.

Ellicott City House Fire - January 12

Firefighters responded to the 8500 block of Milldam Court in Ellicott City for a house fire. The fire was located in the basement of the home and was extinguished within 15 minutes. Investigators determined the cause to be accidental.

Dog Ice Rescue - January 20

HCDFRS responded to the 10800 block of Timber Line Lane in Ellicott City for the report of a dog who had fallen through the ice of a frozen pond. Firefighters were able to quickly rescue and reunite the dog with his family. In an attempt to rescue the pet prior to HCDFRS arrival, one civilian had gotten into the water. That patient was evaluated by EMS and refused transport to the hospital.

Mutual Aid Requested in House Fire - January 25

Units were dispatched to the 2800 block of Belle Hollow Court in Glenwood for a residential fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered a single-family home with fire extending from the deck to the main floor and up to the second floor of the residence. The fire continued to spread throughout the home, and it took firefighters from Howard, Frederick, Carroll, and Montgomery counties approximately two and a half hours to fully extinguish the flames.

Two Structure Fires, One Day - February 5

Units from HCDFRS were dispatched to the 12000 block of Folly Quarter Road for a house fire. Units arrived on location to find fire in the attic of a single-family home. The fire was quickly extinguished, and all searches were negative.

Later that day, firefighters responded to the 8000 block of Green Tree Court for a structure fire. Crews arrived and quickly extinguished a working fire on the second floor.

Waste Facility Fire - February 18

Units were dispatched for the reported commercial building fire on the 7100 block of Kit Kat Road in Elkridge. Upon arrival, crews found active fire within the waste conveyor system of a large commercial building. Firefighting efforts were immediately initiated, and the fire was brought under control in approximately one hour. Crews from Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties and BWI Airport Fire departments assisted during the incident.

Townhouse Fire in Columbia - February 19

Multiple 911 calls were received reporting smoke from a neighbor’s townhouse in the 6500 block of Sweet Fern in Columbia. Upon arrival, crews confirmed a working fire on the second floor. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes.

Warehouse Fire on Amberton Drive - February 20

HCDFRS was dispatched for a fire in a warehouse in the 6600 block of Amberton Drive in Elkridge. The fire was confined to several pallets of paper products. Mutual aid units from Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties assisted.

Residential Fire in Ellicott City - March 12

A house fire was reported in the 4500 block of Mustering Drum in Ellicott City. Firefighters arrived on scene to find a single-family home with fire extending from the rear of the building. The fire spread from the basement to the second floor and took approximately 45 minutes to bring under control.

Fire at Auto Shop - April 9 

HCDFRS, Anne Arundel, and Prince George's County firefighters were dispatched to an auto repair shop in the 9900 block of Washington Boulevard for a building fire. Fire was located in an interior paint booth and had extended to ductwork and the roof insulation. The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries.

Train Vs. Car in Mt. Airy - May 1

Firefighters were alerted for the report of a freight train that had struck a vehicle on the tracks in Mt. Airy. Upon arrival, crews located a pickup truck with front-end damage that had been struck by a train. There were three occupants in the truck at the time of the incident. Occupants were evaluated by EMS and declined transport to the hospital. There were no reported injuries on the train. Mutual aid was provided by Carroll and Frederick counties.

Woman Dies From Injuries After Fire in Jessup - June 11

Units responded to a building fire in the 7900 block of Dorsey Run Road in Jessup. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find fire from a two-story mixed-use building. Immediately, crews began to get the fire under control and provide medical care to a civilian located in front of the structure. One adult civilian was transported to the hospital with serious burn injuries and ultimately succumbed to those injuries. Additionally, one firefighter was evaluated for heat exhaustion and transported to the hospital.

Lakeway Drive Garage Fire - June 19

Crews were dispatched to the 3500 block of Lakeway Drive in Ellicott City for a reported garage fire. First arriving companies found a working garage fire that was extending into the house. Tankers were used to bring water to the scene for fire attack. The fire was quickly brought under control.

Senior Living Facility Broken Pipe - June 29

Firefighters were dispatched to a senior healthcare facility in the 3000 block of North Ridge Road in Ellicott City for the report of an alarm sounding and water flooding into rooms from the ceiling. Crews arrived on the scene to find a broken sprinkler pipe, which caused the building to flood. As a result, residents were displaced and required transportation to other nearby healthcare facilities via ambulance and Medical Ambulance Bus (MAB).

Lightning Strikes Cause Two House Fires - July 8

As a severe thunderstorm swept through the Columbia area, HCDFRS units were dispatched to the 6200 block of Cricket Pass for a house fire following a lightning strike. Firefighters arrived to find to find smoke showing and located a fire involving the roofing material. The fire was extinguished withing 15 minutes.

As firefighters worked on Cricket Pass, a townhouse fire was dispatched in the 10400 block of Faulkner Ridge Circle. Units arrived to find a small fire in the basement and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes of arrival. Three adults were displaced.

Unoccupied House Fire - August 23

Firefighters responded to the 3100 block of Saint Charles Place in Ellicott City. Units arrived to find heavy fire throughout the structure. The house is located in a wooded area, so crews additionally worked to extinguish surrounding trees and brush. The house was unoccupied.

Townhouse Fire - September 21

HCDFRS responded to the 9000 block of Garden Ranges for a working townhouse fire. Units arrived to find heavy fire from the garage area with extension to the first and second floor. HCDFRS units were able to quickly extinguish the fire. One firefighter was injured and treated for minor injuries.

Laurel House Fire - October 24

Units were dispatched for a basement fire in the 9700 block of Whiskey Run in Laurel. The fire was quickly brought under control and no extension to adjoining townhomes was found. Units from Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department assisted on the scene.

Chimney Fire in Columbia - October 25

Crews responded to a reported chimney fire in the 9100 block of Brunners Run Court, Columbia. First arriving units reported visible flames from the roof. They quickly placed the fire under control. A cat was rescued from the second floor of the house.

Columbia House Fire Due to Chimney - November 2

Units were dispatched to the 9500 block of Ridgeview Drive in Columbia for a reported house fire. First arriving companies found a chimney fire that extended into the house. The fire was quickly brought under control.

Apartment Fire in Columbia with Resident Evacuations - November 15

Firefighters responded to a reported apartment fire on the 5600 block of Stevens Forest Road in Columbia. Upon arrival, crews found an appliance fire in a first-floor apartment. It took firefighters approximately four minutes to bring the fire under control. Ground ladders were used to assist several residents in evacuating the building.

Basement Fire in Columbia - December 8

HCDFRS units reported to a house fire on the 5100 block of Phantom Court in Columbia. Units arrive to find a basement fire. The fire was quickly brought under control.

Take a look back at some of the positive moments of 2025 here.