Baltimore County to Add 12 New Fire Battalion Chiefs

New positions aim to improve emergency response times and incident management.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:13pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a lone fire engine parked on a shadowy city street, the vehicle's chrome and red paint reflecting warm sunlight, conceptually representing the need for increased senior oversight during emergencies.The addition of more senior leadership to the Baltimore County Fire Department aims to improve emergency response and incident control in a growing urban area.Baltimore Today

Baltimore County's fire department is set to add 12 new battalion chief positions in the upcoming fiscal year budget. The additional staffing is intended to increase the number of battalion chiefs on duty at any given time, allowing for faster response and better management of emergency incidents.

Why it matters

The new battalion chiefs will help the Baltimore County Fire Department better respond to the growing number and complexity of emergency calls. Having more senior leadership on hand during incidents can improve coordination and control, potentially saving lives.

The details

The 12 new battalion chief positions will be the highest number added to the department since 2000. Baltimore County Fire Chief Joseph Dixon stated the additional staffing will allow the department to 'better meet the ever-increasing call volume and incident complexity.' County Executive Kathy Klausmeier noted that 'in an emergency, every minute matters' and the new battalion chiefs will help ensure scenes are quickly brought under control by senior leadership.

  • The 12 new battalion chief positions are included in Baltimore County's upcoming fiscal year budget.
  • The Baltimore County Council is expected to vote on the county executive's proposed budget in May 2026.

The players

Joseph Dixon

Baltimore County Fire Chief.

Kathy Klausmeier

Baltimore County Executive.

Baltimore County Fire Department

The fire department serving Baltimore County, Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“We can all rest a bit easier at night knowing that we are better prepared to meet the ever-increasing call volume and incident complexity.”

— Joseph Dixon, Baltimore County Fire Chief

“The sooner these leaders are present during an emergency, the sooner they can ensure a scene is under control. In an emergency, every minute matters. This is something our career firefighters have been requesting for years. I know that these additional battalion chiefs will make Baltimore County safer and help our first responders continue to do what they do best: save lives.”

— Kathy Klausmeier, Baltimore County Executive

What’s next

The Baltimore County Council is expected to vote on the county executive's proposed budget, which includes the 12 new battalion chief positions, in May 2026.

The takeaway

The addition of 12 new battalion chiefs to the Baltimore County Fire Department represents a significant investment in improving emergency response and incident management capabilities. This move aims to enhance public safety by ensuring senior leadership is on hand more quickly during crises, which can make a critical difference in saving lives.