On May 16^th – 17^th, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) will host a two-day symposium aimed at improving survival of sudden cardiac arrest. This intensive Maryland Resuscitation Academy is attracting more than 60 dispatchers, health providers and emergency medical services coordinators who are focused on initiatives to combat cardiac arrest, which is the nation’s leading cause of death. 

Firefighters and paramedics responded to the 8800 block of Tamar Drive in Columbia for a fire at the Columbia Landing apartments. One woman was rescued and transported in critical condition to Bayview Medical Center.

For Immediate Release November 26, 2012   COLUMBIA, MD – The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) is partnering with the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) on a progressive training program that teaches personnel how to respond

 Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) used two pieces of technology to detect and treat patients who had been overcome by carbon monoxide  (CO) on the morning of October 30, 2012.

 At approximately 5 PM on Sunday, October 28, HCDFRS units were dispatched to the 8100 block of Jenmar Road in Savage for a commercial building fire.  Callers reported seeing a large column of smoke from the nearby residences and from Washington Boulevard. 

The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services is proud to stand, once again, with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) as bells ring from coast to coast in honor of those firefighters who died in the line of duty last year. This second annual Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters event will take place on Sunday, October 7^th as a part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

In almost every fire station across the country, the kitchen table is so much more than just a place to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner - it is the center of a fire station's activity during each 24-hour shift. Thanks to two members of the community, the crew assigned to Station 11 has a brand new kitchen table to serve as the heart of their station.   

At approximately 6 00 A.M. on Sunday, August 12, 2012 firefighters from Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) were alerted for a residential fire alarm activation in the 5100 block of Britten Lane in Ellicott City. Seconds

Department’s Paramedic Education Program Attains National Accreditation Becomes First Fire Based Agency in the State Approved at this Level.

Firefighters and paramedics in the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) are in the process of visiting assisted living facilities in the community and canvassing neighborhoods in order to check on the welfare of residents and pass out vital safety information. As recovery efforts continue, HCDFRS is reminding citizens to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their families safe.

As the July 4th holiday weekend approaches, Howard County fire and rescue officials and police remind residents and businesses to keep their celebrations safe and lawful. In other parts of the state, certain ground-based sparkling devices are legal, but in Howard County, the sale, possession and use of ground-based sparklers is prohibited. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $1,000. Handheld sparklers, party poppers, ignitable “snakes” and “snap ’n’ pops” remain legal. 

Shortly after 7 PM on Tuesday, June 19, Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue (HCDFRS) crews were dispatched to a house fire in the 6300 block of Scarlet Petal in Columbia.  Upon arrival,

The Howard County Police Department, Heath Department and Department of Fire and Rescue Services are urging parents and caregivers to be aware of the dangers of open windows to children.

Shortly before midnight on Sunday evening, June 10, units from Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services (HCDFRS) were dispatched to the 10300 block of Scaggsville Road in Laurel for a house fire.   

In observance of National CPR & AED Awareness Week (June 3-9), the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) is offering a 30-minute Hands-Only CPR training to county employees who are often out in the community interacting with citizens.  

A regular night at an indoor soccer game for a Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) firefighter proved anything but when she helped to save the life of a fellow player suffering a heart attack. Stephanie Cizek’s remarkable story highlights the theme of this year’s National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week: “EMS More than a Job. A Calling,” which ends Saturday, May 26^th. 

Just after 11 20am on Friday, May 18, 2012, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) responded to the 6900 block of San Tomas Road in Elkridge, MD for reports of a fire at Advance Polybag Incorporated.

 The Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services 911 center received a telephone call at approximately 5:40 am on May 3, 2012, for reports of a fire outside the Sears at Columbia Mall.  

Crews from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) responded to a barn fire in Lisbon which started just before 3:30am.  

The Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company (LVFC) will hold an EMS open house on Saturday, May 19, 2012. This open house will focus on personal health and safety for all ages.

Members of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services’ (HCDFRS) special operations team will be conducting a technical rope rescue training exercise on Wednesday, April 11^th from 11am – 2pm. During this exercise, a scenario involving a “car over the bridge” will be enacted and firefighters and paramedics will be tasked with responding to the scene and rescuing victims. 

Just before 6:00am on April 16, 2012, crews from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) received a 911 call for a report of smoke inside of Long Reach High School, located in the 6100 Blk of Old Dobbin Lane in Columbia, MD. When HCDFRS units arrived, they were advised by the school's maintenance personnel that there was a refrigerant leak inside of the school. 

The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services 911 center received a telephone call at approximately 12:40 pm on May 5, 2012, reporting a fire in the 6000 block of Majors Lane in Columbia.  

At approximately 8:50 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012 Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services received a 911 call reporting a house fire in the 8000 block of Savage Guilford Rd.  Units arrived within five minutes and reported a car fire under a carport with flames spreading into the home.

At approximately 12 00 am, the 911 center received a telephone call reporting a house fire on Paradise Avenue in Elkridge.  Units arrived within five minutes and reported a working fire in the basement of a single family home with no extension.

Just after 1:30 pm this afternoon the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services responded for a report of a residential house fire on Walnut Grove in Columbia. No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.  

In addition to food, family and gifts, decorations are one of the highlights of the holiday season. While candles, Christmas trees, and other decorations are part of the holiday spirit, they can pose fire and poisoning hazards, especially to young children. 

Just after 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services responded for a report of a barn fire in 2600 block of Jennings Chapel Road in Woodbine. 

The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) is pleased to announce that it will be conducting one of its first live-burn fire trainings. Firefighters will advance into the home after it has been set on fire and be charged with extinguishing the blaze. More than 25 firefighters will participate in the training and several instructors and safety personnel will also be on hand. 

The holidays are a great time for family gatherings but did you know that Thanksgiving is also the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment? According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of five deaths, 25 injuries and $21 million in property loss each year. 

Howard County Police and Fire & Rescue Services are reminding residents to put safety first this Halloween. Police will be out in force Halloween weekend to help ensure a safe and fun holiday. Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services is also reminding residents of fire and other safety hazards that are common on Halloween.

As the July 4 holiday weekend approaches, Howard County fire and rescue officials and police remind residents and businesses to keep their celebrations safe and lawful.  

At approximately 1:30am, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) were alerted for a reported townhouse fire in the 6700 Block of Ducketts Lane in Elkridge, MD. HCDFRS units arrived on the scene to find an end of the row townhouse with fire coming through the roof.  

In recognition of National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week Sunday, May 15^th through Saturday May 20^th, 2011, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) invites the community to stop by their local station to meet our ‘Everyday Heroes’ and become familiar with their services.  

Just after 2pm this afternoon, crews from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) responded to the 7900 block of Washington Boulevard for a reported fire at the Holiday Inn in Jessup.

The Howard County Professional Firefighters, Local 2000, who in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) will once again put the pink spotlight on breast cancer awareness during the entire month of October. For the second year in a row, firefighters and paramedics will put away their normal uniform shirt in order to rock a pink breast cancer awareness shirt. Shirts are also for sale to the general public.

At approximately 7:30 pm this evening, crews responded to the 2500 block of McKendree Road in West Friendship, for a barn fire with other buildings in close proximity. When units arrived, they encountered heavy fire in a 75 ft by 50 ft barn filled with over 1000 bales of straw. There were no animals or workers in the barn.

So often, when a member of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) responds to a call or helps a citizen in need, there isn’t always time to say thank you or job well done. This Thursday May 5^th, the families of our personnel and several members of the community will gather to pay tribute to the men and women who make this a truly exceptional Department. 

What’s the best way to protect your family from fire? Be prepared, of course. With more than 360,000 home fires reported in the United States in 2009, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), your best defense is a good offense. That’s why the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services is teaming up with local partners during the week of October 9^th-15^th, to let our community know: “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” 

Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services (HCDFRS) recently received the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Life Safety Initiaives Program Seal of Excellence Award for demonstrating a commitment to the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initistives. The Seal of Excellence is presented to individuals, groups, departments or organizations who have established outstanding efforts to making the American fire service safer.

Trainee Class 26 is comprised of 25 members, and includes one of the largest number of female graduates in the history of the Department. For the past seven months, these trainees have undergone more than 1100 hours of training in firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, medical services, hazardous materials and rescue techniques. 

The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kevin Seaman as the first medical director within the state of Maryland to work full-time serving a fire and rescue department.