Heated Times at Fire/EMS Department Headquarters

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

The Office of the Fire Chief was notified over the weekend that the building that houses Fire/EMS Department Headquarters (PGFD HQ) had a malfunction in the air conditioning system.  Staff was notified by email on Saturday to expect unpleasant conditions as repairs to the AC were made.  PGFD HQ occupies portions of the 3rd and 4th floors of the Largo Government Center (LGC) at 9201 Basil Court in Largo.


Jeff Callaway, assigned to Community Outreach and Legislative Affairs, whose office is on the 4th floor, arrived at work this morning and noted temperatures of 88 degrees and within 15 minutes had risen to 90 degrees.  Shortly thereafter, Major Paul Cruz, Executive Officer, sent an email to Fire/EMS Department staff working at the LGC stating, "Due to the A/C still being non-operational since the weekend, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor has granted the use of Liberal leave for today for all personnel assigned to the 3^rd & 4^th floors at the LGC."  


Despite the availability of liberal leave the majority of staff will not be using it.  A limited amount of staff will remain at the LGC HQ to ensure coverage and continuity of operations plans will be utilized with staff and offices relocating to back up sites at various locations throughout the County including the Cranford-Graves Fire Services Building in Landover Hills.  Citizens and residents ability to reach the Fire Chief and other key offices within the Fire/EMS Department administration will not be adversely effected.


To borrow a phrase from our friends at the United States Postal Service; "Neither rain nor snow nor heat  nor the gloom of night nor loss of building air conditioners stays the Fire/EMS Department from completing their appointed rounds."


The repair of the LGC building air conditioner is on-going with no estimate of time on the completion.