Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters

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Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1563 represents nearly 900 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics. We are the Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Association.

Headquartered in Millersville, Maryland, we serve and protect the 600,000 citizens of Anne Arundel County. We are the labor organization that represents more than 900 career Firefighter/EMT’s, Paramedics, Lieutenants, and Captains at 30 fire stations throughout Anne Arundel County, as well as support roles throughout the administrative bureaus such as dispatchers, fire marshals, academy training staff, and many others. Our members respond to nearly 90,000 incidents annually, including building fires, motor vehicle collisions, and medical emergencies, as well highly technical rescues from heights like the Bay Bridge, and from dangerous hazardous materials. We are dedicated to keeping our citizens safe by advocating for the equipment, and personnel that we need to get the job done. Historically, we were short-staffed. The National Standard for the number of fire fighters on a fire engine (the one that carries the water) is 3, and for the fire truck (the one with the ladders) the standard is 4. In the past, we often responded to emergencies with just 2 people. We are proud to be approaching those minimums, but still have a ways to go. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in the County Executive's office, and on the County Council to make complete compliance with the National Standards a reality. That said, you can always count on us to be there when you need us. We work in 24 hour shifts, 365 days a year. Feel free to say “hello” to us when you see us at the grocery story, and out in the community. We know that the safety of loved ones remains a top priority for every citizen, and we are committed to delivering the excellence that is expected of us.

Happy Veterans Day! The Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, would like to recognize our bra...
11/11/2026

Happy Veterans Day!

The Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, would like to recognize our brave members who continue to serve our country, and all those who have served. Your dedication to this nation and to our community does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for your service!

🔥 WORKING FIRE - JESSUP 🔥Crews are on the scene of a working dwelling fire in Jessup. First-arriving units found fire sh...
11/09/2026

🔥 WORKING FIRE - JESSUP 🔥

Crews are on the scene of a working dwelling fire in Jessup. First-arriving units found fire showing from the Charlie side of the home. Engine 29 and Engine 45 quickly worked to contain the fire.

Unfortunately, the closest ladder truck, Truck 29 (Jessup), was out of service due to cross-staffing and unavailable to respond.

As a result, the closest available ladder truck responded from Station 26 (South Glen Burnie), 8.8 miles away.

This is another example of how cross-staffing impacts emergency response across Anne Arundel County. Our communities deserve properly staffed fire apparatus that are available when emergencies happen.

Local 1563 proudly congratulates the following members on their well-deserved promotions within the Anne Arundel County ...
11/06/2026

Local 1563 proudly congratulates the following members on their well-deserved promotions within the Anne Arundel County Fire Department!

James “Jimmy” Wendt – Promoted to Captain

William “Bill” Reading – Promoted to Lieutenant

Michael Strickland – Promoted to Lieutenant

Congratulations to each of you on this well-deserved achievement! We wish you continued success in your new leadership roles!

It's Crash Responder Safety Week.Every time our members work a crash on Route 50, I-97, the BW Parkway or any road in An...
11/06/2026

It's Crash Responder Safety Week.

Every time our members work a crash on Route 50, I-97, the BW Parkway or any road in Anne Arundel County, they're standing a few feet from traffic doing 60+ miles an hour. Wet roads, dark nights, distracted drivers. That's the reality our firefighters, paramedics, police, and tow operators face on every call.

You can help bring them home.

When you see lights, flares, or hazards ahead:
🔸 SLOW DOWN
🔸 MOVE OVER a lane if you can do it safely
🔸 PUT THE PHONE DOWN

In Maryland, it's the law, and it covers any stopped vehicle with its hazards on, not just emergency vehicles.

The folks on that scene are someone's mom, dad, son, or daughter. Give them the room to do their job and go home at the end of the shift.

Slow Down. Move Over. Lives are on the line.

11/05/2026
11/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters Congratulate County Executive-Elect Allison Pickard

IAFF Local 1563 ready to work with the Pickard administration and new County Council on staffing and fire fighter safety

MILLERSVILLE, Md. — Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, congratulates County Executive-elect Allison Pickard on her election as Anne Arundel County’s next County Executive.

Local 1563 looks forward to working with the Pickard administration to strengthen public safety and the
services our members provide every day.

County Executive-elect Pickard has said she is already thinking about how to address the county’s public
safety staffing. Local 1563 welcomes that focus and is ready to help.

“Our members show up every day for the people of this county,” said Local 1563 President Casey Cameron. “But we are critically short-staffed, and member injuries are at an all-time high. That has to change.”

An independent staffing study identified a shortfall of approximately 350 positions compared with national
safe staffing standards. The independent Standards of Coverage report that Local 1563 negotiated with the
county calls for more fire and EMS apparatus in service and an additional firefighter on every apparatus already in service.

The county has taken an important step. With a federal SAFER grant, Anne Arundel County will add more new firefighter positions to its budget this year than in the last five years combined. Local 1563 sees that progress as a step in the right direction, not the finish line.

“Staffing levels directly affect how quickly help arrives and how safely our crews can do their jobs,” Cameron
said. “Our residents deserve a fire department staffed to meet the emergencies it faces, and our members
deserve to go home safely at the end of every shift.”

Local 1563 will continue to push for independent four-person staffing on every apparatus, an end to cross-
staffing, and the added units the county’s growing communities need.

Cameron said he looks forward to getting to work with the Pickard administration and the newly elected
County Council.

“Our job now is to make sure the members who show up every day and serve our communities are heard,”
Cameron said. “We’re ready to get to work.”

About Local 1563
Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, represents more than 900 career
firefighters and paramedics serving Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Congratulations to Captain Jen Kraushaar, Commander of Station 10 Jacobsville, on completing the Executive Fire Officer ...
11/03/2026

Congratulations to Captain Jen Kraushaar, Commander of Station 10 Jacobsville, on completing the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy this past August.

The EFO Program is the National Fire Academy's flagship program for fire service leaders. It's a multi-year commitment of coursework in Emmitsburg, online learning, and a capstone research project, all on top of the job and life at home. Getting through it takes real dedication.

Captain Kraushaar’s work reflects well on Station 10, our Local, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, and the community we serve. Local 1563 is proud to call her one of our own. Congratulations, Captain!

Read more in Firehouse Magazine below.

Jen Kraushaar's EFO research indicates that professional development in the fire service should be supported as a career-long investment and be readily accessible.

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Donald Bates on his retirement, effective November 1, after 33 years of dedi...
10/31/2026

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Donald Bates on his retirement, effective November 1, after 33 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Anne Arundel County!

On Thursday, President Cameron had the honor of presenting Brother Bates with a plaque recognizing his 33 years of service.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our community. We wish you a long, happy, and healthy retirement!

🔥WORKING FIRE | EDGEWATER🔥Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, are currently on scene of a w...
10/30/2026

🔥WORKING FIRE | EDGEWATER🔥

Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, are currently on scene of a working fire in the 100 block of Jordan Taylor Lane in Edgewater.

Command has requested two additional engines and two truck companies for additional manpower.

This is another reminder of why achieving NFPA 1710 four-person staffing is critical. Adequate staffing ensures our fire fighters have the manpower needed to perform critical fireground operations safely and effectively, without having to rely on additional resources to make up for staffing shortages.

🔥🔥Working Fire - Deale 🔥🔥Your Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, are currently operating a...
10/29/2026

🔥🔥Working Fire - Deale 🔥🔥

Your Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1563, are currently operating at a working fire in the 6000 block of Franklin Gibson Road.

This fire presents unique challenges as crews operate in a non-hydrant area, where establishing a reliable water supply is critical.

Due to cross-staffing, Medic 42 (Deale) and Medic 1 (Galesville) are out of service, while Medic 9 (Lothian) and Medic 41 (Shady Side) are committed to the incident.

That leaves four medic units unavailable to respond to other emergencies in the surrounding communities.

This is another example of why adequate staffing and dedicated apparatus are critical to protecting our fire fighters and the communities we serve.

Address

8684 Veterans Highway
Millersville, MD
21108

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