In St. Mary's County, the Fire Departments and Rescue Squads rely entirely on volunteers to respond to emergencies, and the community is encouraged to join these vital services. The following outlines the various opportunities, benefits, and incentives available to those interested in becoming part of this dedicated team.

Volunteer Opportunities: Fire Departments and Rescue Squads offer diverse roles beyond emergency response. Positions in administration and fundraising contribute significantly to the community's safety and well-being, and interested individuals can find a suitable role irrespective of their ability to respond to emergencies.

Free Training: Volunteers have access to comprehensive training programs conducted by the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute throughout the year. Courses include Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, EMT-B, EMT-P, Emergency Vehicle Operator, and more.

Incentives: Several incentives are provided to recognize and reward volunteers for their service:

• College Scholarship Program: A scholarship program is available for volunteers, offering financial assistance for higher education.

• Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP): Volunteers can earn points through participation in meetings, drills, fundraising events, and emergency responses. Accumulated points lead to various benefits, including a Maryland State tax deduction.

• Maryland State Income Tax Incentive: Eligible volunteers can receive a Tax Subtraction Modification, deducting a specified amount from their state income taxes based on LOSAP points accrued.

Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP): The LOSAP program provides retirees and beneficiaries with Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) in July, aligning with Maryland State Retirement and Pension System guidelines.

Financial Benefits:

• Disability Benefit: Volunteers disabled while providing services are eligible for financial assistance, ensuring support for those unable to continue their normal occupation duties.

• Survivor Benefit: In case of a volunteer's passing, the surviving spouse is entitled to 50 percent of the deceased volunteer's benefits.

• Line of Duty Death Benefits: A death benefit of $2,500 is paid to the designated beneficiary in the unfortunate event of a line-of-duty death.

Scholarship Reimbursement Program: Volunteers accumulating at least 50 LOSAP points in the previous calendar year are eligible for the Scholarship Reimbursement Program. This program supports volunteers pursuing post-secondary education by reimbursing them for relevant courses.

Contact Information: For more information on joining and the benefits offered, please contact the Recruitment & Retention Coordinator at 301-475-4200 72114 or via email at volunteer@stmarysmd.com.

Make a difference in your community – become a Fire and EMS volunteer today!