Westminster, MD, Thursday, September 17, 2020 – Today, during Open Session, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed addition of Chapter 37 to the County Code. This decision to close the Public Hearing and leave the record open for a period of ten days moves the county one step farther toward the historic creation of the first Carroll County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.  After the ten days, a formal vote could approve the creation of the department.

“The journey to get to where we are today has been arduous, but the light at the end of the tunnel is now the brightest it can be, as working together with all parties including our new director Robert McCoy, we will set the stage for the future of the county’s public safety,” said Commissioner Stephen Wantz, President of the Board of Commissioners. “When I first ran for office in 2013, one of my most important platforms was successfully creating the best combination fire and EMS system and I applaud my colleagues on this and the last commissioner board for their dedication to this task as well as a ton of credit to CCVESA as they worked toward this day for years.”

Robert McCoy, first director of the new department said, “I’d like to thank CCVESA for being an excellent partner and for their hard work in formulating and recommending this ordinance. Today is an important first step in creating a framework toward the combination fire service and a strong beginning for the county’s future service delivery.”

In 2018, the Maryland General Assembly passed enabling legislation allowing county government to establish a department responsible for the full scope of fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, emergency medical services and other related public safety functions provided to Carroll County residents. The board was required to conduct a public hearing before adopting an ordinance formally creating the new department.

A final vote is expected at the October 1, 2020 Board of Commissioner Open Session meeting.

Meetings are available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.