MCFRS News Release

PUBLIC HEARING FOR DRAFT FIRE- RESCUE MASTER PLAN

Montgomery County, MD - - A public hearing concerning the draft “Fire, Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, and Community Risk Reduction Master Plan” will be conducted by Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott E. Goldstein on August 26, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the Training/Meeting Room at the Travilah Fire Station, 9615 Darnestown Road, Rockville, Maryland. Public parking is available on site.

Montgomery County will provide sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids or services upon request with as much advance notice as possible, preferably at least three (3) business days before the event. Requests can be sent to Scott Gutschick at scott.gutschick@montgomerycountymd.gov, by phone at 240-777-2417 or by calling 301-251-4850 (TTY). Those who use the Maryland or Video Relay services should contact the MC311 customer service center on 240-777-0311. Taking these steps will allow event organizers sufficient time to best meet the needs of individuals requiring auxiliary services.

The draft Master Plan addresses the delivery of fire, rescue, emergency medical, and community risk reduction services between 2016 and 2020. Upon anticipated adoption by the County Council, the new plan will replace the 2005-2015 plan. The Master Plan’s intended audience includes Montgomery County residents and business owners; the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), including the 19 Local Fire and Rescue Departments; Fire and Emergency Services Commission; Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1664; and MCFRS partner agencies and organizations including those in local, State and federal governments and the private sector. The Public Hearing Draft Plan may be viewed online at www.mcfrs.org.

Persons interested in testifying during the Public Hearing must contact Scott Gutschick no later than August 19 at scott.gutschick@montgomerycountymd.gov or at 240-777-2417. The opportunity to testify will be given to the first 25 persons requesting; however, to be eligible a person must meet at least one of the following criteria:

 Montgomery County resident

 Owner of a business located within Montgomery County

 Representative of a community or civic group located within Montgomery County

 Representative of an institution or organization operating in Montgomery County

 Representative of an utility company serving Montgomery County

 Member of a Local Fire and Rescue Department in Montgomery County

 Member of the FESC, MCVFRA, or IAFF Local 1664

 Representative of a Montgomery County department, agency or office

 Representative of a municipality located within Montgomery County

 Representative of MIEMSS or the State Fire Marshal’s Office

 Representative of the Department of Homeland Security (federal)

Persons not meeting any of the above criteria are welcome to attend the Public Hearing but will not be provided the opportunity to testify.

Individuals representing themselves, their household, or their business will be given three (3) minutes to testify and those representing a group, organization, utility or government agency will be given five (5) minutes to testify. Persons testifying are asked to provide a written copy of their testimony to the Fire Chief during the Public Hearing.

The public record will remain open for 14 days following the hearing for additional public comment. For further information, please contact MCFRS Planning Section Manager Scott Gutschick at scott.gutschick@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-2417.