MCFRS Transition and Operational Doctrine

MCFRS Goals and Evolution

• MCFRS transitioned from a system governed by LFRDs and overseen by an Administrator to a combined system under the authority of a Fire Chief.
• The organization established explicit goals to provide a framework for mutual cooperation during this transition.

MCFRS Operational Doctrine Statement (ODS)

• The ODS outlines the department's expectations for operations, focusing on the vulnerable and the role of MCFRS personnel as advocates for the vulnerable.
• Personnel must act as a gateway to other agencies and services, and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

Community Expectations

• MCFRS believes there are common community expectations for the organization, including:
  • Treating people and their property with respect.
  • Being experts in their domain.
  • Providing policy makers with a range of valid options.
• Developing cultural competency is vital to meeting these expectations.

Environmental Characteristics

• The world is changing rapidly, presenting opportunities and threats.
• Key characteristics include:
  • Non-linearity, where small inputs can have outsized downstream impacts.
  • Novelty, where complex systems interact to generate new problems.
  • Uncertainty, requiring agility and adaptability.

Existing Conditions and General Plan

• MCFRS must maintain awareness of the current social, economic, and political landscapes.
• The updated General Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, outlines seven priority outcomes, including:
  • Thriving youth and families
  • A growing economy
  • A greener county
  • Easier commutes
  • An affordable and welcoming county
  • Safe neighborhoods
  • Effective, sustainable government

Equity and Social Justice

• The Montgomery County Executive and County Council established racial equity as a central guiding principle and priority in 2019.
• The Racial Equity and Social Justice Act requires all County departments to develop and apply an equity lens to all endeavors.
• The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) was created to advance racial equity and dismantle structural racism within County government.
• Montgomery County has joined the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) network to systematically reduce and eliminate racial inequities.

Fire and Rescue Service (FESC)

• FESC reviews and approves/disapproves Fire and Rescue Service policies/regulations proposed by the Fire Chief or County Executive.
• FESC has authority over regulations issued by the County Executive.

Labor Organizations

IAFF Local 1664

• Sole and exclusive bargaining agent for uniformed personnel in Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.
• Represents personnel classified as Fire Fighter-Rescuer II and III, Master Fire Fighter-Rescuer, Fire/Rescue Lieutenant, and Fire/Rescue Captain.
• Approximately 96% of career firefighter-rescuers are IAFF Local 1664 members and covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

MCVFRA

• Designated as the "LFRD representative" in accordance with Montgomery County Code.
• Serves as the exclusive representative for negotiating with the Fire Chief.
• Fire Chief must consult with MCVFRA on all major policy changes.
• MCVFRA Directly Negotiated Agreement covers LFRD members, including life members and those receiving LOSAP benefits.

MCGEO

• Represents a large percentage of non-uniformed ("civilian") Montgomery County employees.
• Almost 60% of civilian MCFRS employees are represented by MCGEO and covered by the MCGEO Labor Agreement.

Career Personnel

• Career staff composed of uniformed and professional (non-uniformed) personnel.
• Ratio of uniformed to professional staff is about eleven to one.
• Uniformed career component: 1164 personnel.
• Nearly 90% of uniformed career staff are assigned to fire-rescue stations.
• Remaining uniformed career staff are assigned to other work sites, including Public Safety Headquarters, Emergency Communications Center, etc.

Partnerships

• MCFRS relies on and coordinates with local, state, and federal government agency partners, as well as public and private organizations.
• Partnerships include administrative/support partners, such as Montgomery County Office of Management & Budget, Office of Procurement, etc.
• Response partners include police, fire-rescue departments, emergency management, health departments, and other agencies and organizations that support incident/disaster response and recovery operations.
• Mutual aid agreements allow for seamless operations across jurisdictional boundaries.

Fire and Rescue Service (FESC)

• FESC reviews and approves/disapproves Fire and Rescue Service policies/regulations proposed by the Fire Chief or County Executive.
• FESC has authority over regulations issued by the County Executive.

Labor Organizations

IAFF Local 1664

• Sole and exclusive bargaining agent for uniformed personnel in Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.
• Represents personnel classified as Fire Fighter-Rescuer II and III, Master Fire Fighter-Rescuer, Fire/Rescue Lieutenant, and Fire/Rescue Captain.
• Approximately 96% of career firefighter-rescuers are IAFF Local 1664 members and covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

MCVFRA

• Designated as the "LFRD representative" in accordance with Montgomery County Code.
• Serves as the exclusive representative for negotiating with the Fire Chief.
• Fire Chief must consult with MCVFRA on all major policy changes.
• MCVFRA Directly Negotiated Agreement covers LFRD members, including life members and those receiving LOSAP benefits.

MCGEO

• Represents a large percentage of non-uniformed ("civilian") Montgomery County employees.
• Almost 60% of civilian MCFRS employees are represented by MCGEO and covered by the MCGEO Labor Agreement.

Career Personnel

• Career staff composed of uniformed and professional (non-uniformed) personnel.
• Ratio of uniformed to professional staff is about eleven to one.
• Uniformed career component: 1164 personnel.
• Nearly 90% of uniformed career staff are assigned to fire-rescue stations.
• Remaining uniformed career staff are assigned to other work sites, including Public Safety Headquarters, Emergency Communications Center, etc.

Partnerships

• MCFRS relies on and coordinates with local, state, and federal government agency partners, as well as public and private organizations.
• Partnerships include administrative/support partners, such as Montgomery County Office of Management & Budget, Office of Procurement, etc.
• Response partners include police, fire-rescue departments, emergency management, health departments, and other agencies and organizations that support incident/disaster response and recovery operations.
• Mutual aid agreements allow for seamless operations across jurisdictional boundaries.