Prince George’s County’s 13th fire chief is Tiffany Green, the first woman to hold the position. Green was sworn in Tuesday at a ceremony in Upper Marlboro, fetted by county officials including County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Green is a 21-year veteran of the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department. She succeeds Benjamin Barksdale, who retired in 2019.
“When I started in this department in 1999, the concept of a female fire chief was unheard of,” said Green during remarks after her swearing in. “I am honored to be your fire chief. I have sat where you are. I have ridden the fire trucks. I’ve been on the medic units and have spent countless nights away from family and friends. I understand the sacrifices and the pride of this great department.”
Green inherits the largest combined career-volunteer fire department in the nation. It’s dealing with several major issues. The department has endured three line-of-duty deaths in the past five years. Tensions between volunteer and career fire personnel continue to be an issue. Maintenance issues plague a number of fire stations. For example, work on a $12 million new fire station for the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department, begun in 2013, have been plagued by delays and work has ground to a halt. Following a fatal New Carrolton fire that killed a woman in January, the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association criticized Prince George’s County staffing practices and response times, though County fire officials say there was no delay in responding to the incident. The West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department was searched by law enforcement in late January after two individuals linked to the volunteer squad were arrested on suspicion of arson.