Summer Staffing Plan Information

Background: Prince George’s County Fire Chief Tiffany Green announced the reassignment of career firefighters as part of the summer plan to manage staffing shortages and reduce excessive mandatory overtime, which has cost taxpayers over $30 million, and reduce the burden on firefighters during the summer months. The plan impacts 55 personnel across four stations: • Station 835 (Greenbelt): 24 shiftwork personnel • Station 839 (Bowie – Belair): 5 daywork personnel • Station 814 (Berwyn Heights): 6 daywork personnel • Station 855 (Bunker Hill): 20 shiftwork personnel.

The City of Greenbelt expressed concerns regarding Prince George’s County’s decision to reassign career firefighters from the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department, Station 835, on June 30, 2024. This move, part of the County’s effort to address critical staffing shortages, will significantly impact the response time and services to the Greenbelt Community.

Town Hall (September 12, 2024)

Watch the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department Town Hall below.

Timeline of Events

1. June 7, 2024: 

Receipt of Notification Letter: Greenbelt and other affected municipalities received an official notification from Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department regarding the “temporary” summer staffing plan. The plan included the reallocation of 55 firefighters from four stations, including removing 24 career firefighters from Greenbelt Fire Station 835 and 6 daywork career firefighters from Berwyn Heights.

2. June 10, 2024:

City's Request for Data and Reports: Greenbelt formally requested the raw data and consultants' reports that justified the staffing changes outlined in the summer staffing plan. This request aimed to understand the data driving the decision and its potential impact on response times and community safety.

3. June 28, 2024:

Lawsuit Filed by Greenbelt and Other Municipalities: The City of Greenbelt, along with the Town of Berwyn Heights, City of College Park, Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc., and other plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit against Prince George's County, Maryland, and Fire Chief Tiffany Green. The lawsuit, titled Town of Berwyn Heights et al. vs. Prince George's County, Maryland, et al., sought a declaratory judgment and included a motion for temporary and preliminary injunctive relief to prevent the implementation of the summer staffing plan.

4. June 30, 2024:

Summer Staffing Plan Goes into Effect: Despite the ongoing legal efforts to delay or modify the plan, the summer staffing plan was implemented. This included the reallocation of 55 career firefighters from four fire stations, with 24 career firefighters being removed from Greenbelt Fire Station 835. The implementation immediately raised concerns from Greenbelt residents, City Council, and volunteer fire companies regarding the impact on response times and coverage.

5. July 1, 2024:

Hearing on Motion for Temporary and Preliminary Injunctive Relief: The court held a hearing on the motion for temporary and preliminary injunctive relief filed by the plaintiffs. Judge William A. Snoddy presided over the hearing, during which the motion was discussed and witnesses were presented. Although the request for injunctive relief was denied verbally during the hearing, the plaintiffs did not receive the written order denying the relief until July 15, 2024.

6. July 15, 2024:

Court Order Denying Motion for Injunctive Relief: Judge Snoddy issued a written order formally denying the motion for temporary and preliminary injunctive relief. The order indicated that the matter would proceed in the normal course, and the staffing changes would remain in effect pending further legal proceedings.

7. July 28, 2024:

County's Motion to Dismiss Filed: The County, represented by attorney Sadia Isha Noah, filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for declaratory judgment filed by the plaintiffs. A memorandum supporting the motion to dismiss was also submitted.

8. August 6, 2024: 

Plaintiffs' Amended Complaint Filed: The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint for declaratory judgment. This amended complaint included updates and additional information to address points raised in the County's motion to dismiss. Notably, the amended complaint added the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) as a plaintiff to the lawsuit, further emphasizing the involvement and concerns of the volunteer fire department regarding the County's staffing decisions.

9. August 12, 2024:

Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Filed: The plaintiffs filed an opposition to the County's motion to dismiss the amended complaint. A memorandum supporting the opposition to the motion was also submitted, arguing for the continuation of the legal process and for a thorough review of the County's actions and data.

10. September 10, 2024:

County's Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint Filed: The County filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint and a supporting memorandum, arguing that the plaintiffs' amended claims did not warrant a declaratory judgment.

Lawsuit Information

Data & Reports