Leggett, Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Reach Agreement Resulting in Improved Services for Residents, Visitors

Rockville Fire Station #3 personnel watch as County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe sign an agreement that will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County�s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.  Also at the table are Fire Chief Richard Bowers (far left) and MontgomeryCounty Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Executive Director Eric Bernard (far right).

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association have announced an agreement between the County and the Volunteer Association that will improve fire and rescue services for residents and visitors in Montgomery County. The agreement, signed on August 13, will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County�s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.

�Although we are concerned that non-County residents will receive a bill for emergency transport, we do not support a referendum on the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,� said Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe. �The fire and rescue service enhancements that will result from this agreement are too critical to jeopardize. The Act will result in significant improvements to emergency services and the safety of County residents.

�County residents, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and career and volunteer personnel will benefit from enhanced fire and rescue service with the implementation of the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,� said Goodloe. �This agreement fosters a relationship of trust and support and recognizes the valued contributions by our volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel.�

�The State of Maryland has decided to shift to Montgomery County what could very well be more than $400 million over 10 years in state teacher pension costs,� Leggett said. �The State has also approved a new �Maintenance of Effort� law on school funding that could force us to add millions more to our reserves each year above and beyond what we already do. These are changed circumstances of monumental significance. The additional revenue the County will receive from insurance reimbursements is vital. It will enable us to enhance fire and rescue services to keep pace with population growth, without cutting other essential County services.

The Executive expressed his appreciation for �the work and efforts by our County officials and representatives from the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association. In particular, I want to acknowledge Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe, Executive Director Eric Bernard and Counsel John Bentivolio for their leadership and efforts in forging this agreement.�