Tiffany D. Green Becomes First Woman to Lead the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department

In a historic ceremony today, Tiffany D. Green was sworn in as the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Services (EMS) Department Fire Chief. Chief Green is Prince George’s County, Maryland’s 13th Fire Chief and the first woman to lead the department. 

At the Prince George’s County Council confirmation hearing this morning, Chief Green expressed her pride in the men and of the women of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Services Department and said,

“My promise to the Council, the County Executive, and, most importantly, to the residents and visitors of this County is to continue to lead this Department forward to be accountable, professional and community-centered.” 

A 24-year veteran of Fire Services, Chief Green holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety and a Master’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. In March 1999, she began her career with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department after serving as a volunteer for the Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Department since 1995.  

Prior to her historic appointment to Fire Chief, she served as the Chief Deputy. In her capacity as the Chief Deputy, she was responsible for the Administrative Services Command. Under this command, she managed the agency’s Human Resources, Fiscal Affairs, Information Management, Risk Management and the Office of Service Excellence, Accreditation & Research. 

During her tenure, Fire Chief Green also served as the Director of the Fire/EMS Training and Leadership Academy where she was responsible for the training and career development for over 860 sworn personnel and approximately 1,000 volunteer members of the Department. She also managed the High School Fire Science (Cadet) Program, designed for high school students who are interested in working in the Fire Services profession.

Prior to her Command Staff experience, Chief Green served in a wide array of agency roles: Firefighter, Paramedic, Station Commander, Executive Assistant to the Public Safety Director, Chief of Staff for the Director of Homeland Security, Special Events Coordinator and Stadium Commander for FedEx Field.

At the swearing-in ceremony at First Baptist Church of Glenarden this afternoon, Chief Green thanked the women who came before her, “I stand here today with a great deal of humility knowing that there have been countless sacrifices made by others in order for me to be here.  It is a tremendous honor to stand before you as the Fire Chief For Prince Georges County Fire and Emergency Services Department and join the ranks of the twelve Fire Chiefs before me.” 

PGFD/EMS sends our most sincere thanks to everyone who helped us make today so special.  We cannot thank you enough for your hard work and generosity. 

Two Men Arrested for Arson; One was a Volunteer Fire Applicant

Francis Ortiz-Oro

Giancarlo Reyes

Fire investigators arrested 19-year-old Giancarlo Reyes of New Carrollton and 20-year-old Francis Ortiz-Oro of Washington DC for intentionally setting fire to a vacant house in Lanham last month.

On January 20th, at approximately 1:50 am, firefighters responded to the 9500 block of Wellington Street for the report of a fire in a vacant single-family dwelling.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze that was primarily contained to the kitchen area.  No injuries were reported. Investigators from the Office of the Fire Marshal were called to the scene that morning and determined the cause of the fire was arson.  Fire loss was estimated at $50,000.

Over the course of the following few days, investigators were able to determine that two males had driven to the neighborhood, were seen walking to the house and entering a rear doorway, smoke was then observed rising from the house, and then the two individuals walked away from the house, got back in their vehicles and drove away.

Through the course of the investigation, Reyes and Ortiz-Oro were identified as the two males who had driven to the home and set it on fire.  Preliminarily, investigators determined that Reyes, minutes after setting the fire, drove back to the area again, walked up to the house, investigators believe, to make sure the fire was growing.  Reyes then returned to his vehicle and drove away.  Several minutes later, a neighbor saw the fire and called 911.

Reyes was taken into custody without incident and admitted to his involvement.  He was charged with 1st and 2nd degree arson.  Reyes is being held without bond at the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro.

 In January of 2019, Reyes had applied to the Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department to become a volunteer firefighter at the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department (Company 828.)  According to our standard application process, a background check was conducted and his volunteer application was denied by the Fire/EMS Department. At Reyes’ request, volunteer leadership, as per our policy, appealed the Fire/EMS Department’s decision. The appeal was denied in May of 2019.  

Ortiz-Oro was also taken into custody without incident and was charged with 1^st and 2^nd degree arson, and malicious destruction of property   He is also being held without bond at the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro.  He has no official ties to our agency, however, this is an ongoing investigation. 

Anyone with information about this case is asked to the call the Office of the Fire Marshal at (301)-77-ARSON (27766) or email 77ARSON@CO.PG.MD.US

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2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS