County profile
Howard County, MD 5 departments
1,258 HIFLD personnel across 5 departments in Howard County · #6 of 24 in-state.
Howard County, MD carries a heavy HIFLD roster (1,258 personnel across 5 departments) - #6 of 24 in-state; mix 1/3/0 career/volunteer/combination.
- Personnel rank #6 of 24 in Maryland
- 1.11 stations per 100 personnel
- 78% of roster in Howard County Fire Department
- 5 of 5 depts provide EMS
- 5 of 379 Maryland departments statewide
Fire Departments in Howard County
| Department | Type | Personnel |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County Fire and Rescue Clarksville · EMS | volunteer | 62 |
| Howard County Fire and Rescue - Lisbon Volunteer Fire Woodbine · EMS | other | - |
| Howard County Fire Department West Friendship · EMS | volunteer | 75 |
| Howard County Fire Department Columbia · EMS | career | 982 |
| Howard County Fire Department Savage · EMS | volunteer | 139 |
Coverage desk
Roster-weight lane (1,258 personnel) - station density and largest-book share from HIFLD.
Staffing mix: 1 career, 3 volunteer, 0 combination (60% volunteer).
1.11 stations per 100 HIFLD personnel (14 stations / 1,258 roster).
Largest book: Howard County Fire Department holds 78% of county personnel (982 of 1,258).
Photo-finish peer: Cattaraugus County, NY (+6 personnel).
FAQ
How many firefighters serve Howard County? ▼
Howard County has 1,258 total fire department personnel across 5 departments. The average per department is 252, which is 174% above the Maryland average.
How many fire departments are in Howard County, MD? ▼
Howard County, MD has 5 fire departments with available federal data. 1 career, 3 volunteer, By total reported personnel it ranks #6 of 24 among Maryland counties with at least one listed department.
Are Howard County fire departments mostly volunteer? ▼
Yes, 3 of 5 departments (60%) in Howard County are volunteer.
Does Howard County have EMS coverage? ▼
Yes - 6 departments in Howard County provide EMS services.
Nationwide counties with similar fire coverage
Source: U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Department Registry NFDR (National Fire Department Registry) · 2024 Personnel totals for Howard County sum HIFLD roster fields (career + volunteer) where reported.