The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 290,000 career fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, who protect 85% of the nation’s population.

The Career Fire Fighter Paramedics Association of Ocean City, IAFF Local 4269 represents 39 Career Fire Fighters of the Ocean City Fire Department's Career Fire Division and 6 Fire Marshals of the Office of the Fire Marshal Division. The members are part of a team who protect over 300,000 people during the height of the resort season and 11 Billion dollars worth of property in the City. The Ocean City Fire Department is a combination fire department consisting of the Career Fire Division, Office of the Fire Marshal Division and Volunteer Fire Division.

100% of the Career Fire Division members, below the rank of Captain, and 100% of the Fire Marshals, below the rank of Chief Deputy Fire Marshal, are members of the Union. Three members of the Union are Fire Captains but are not part of the bargaining unit.

Career Fire Members are:

Certified Fire Fighters; the majority being Pro Board Certified Fire Officer I and higher.

Advanced Life Support Providers, the majority being National Registered Paramedics.

Certified Fire Apparatus Driver Operators, the majority for Engines, several for Aerials.

Certified in many specialties including Haz Mat, Dive and Water Rescue, Confined Space, Trench Rescue, High Angle Rescue, High Rise Evacuation and Tactics, Fire and EMS Instruction, Fire Inspection, Fire Service Peer Fitness, SCBA Technicians and Vehicle and Machinery Rescue, etc. 

Career Fire members work 24/72 shifts and dedicate 12 hours per month to training, September through April, and remain operational May through August. 

Career Fire members operate out of 4 fire stations in the City following a 'Handle First Emergency' concept, with two personnel responding in a medic unit and/or fire apparatus, depending on the nature of the call. Minimum staffing for fire apparatus is 3 personnel. 

A Maryland State Certified Paramedic Engine (Engine 16 or 4)  staffed with a minimum of 4 personnel, operate from the center of the City at Fire Station 3 on 74^th street, and made over 1300 runs in 2009. Both engines meet the Maryland Seal of Excellence as an ALS chase unit as approved by the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS).

During the season, Career Fire Division on duty staffing consists of a minimum of 17 field personnel including 1-2 Lieutenants, a Captain, an Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief.

Daily, Fire/EMS personnel check every piece of fire and medical apparatus and all the specialized equipment in all 4 City Fire Stations and the West Ocean City station. They also clean and maintain each station, and all its fire and medical apparatus. 

The Career Fire Division also employs in EXCESS of 60 part-time personnel used all year round. All are Certified Fire Fighters and EMS certified from EMT-Basic to EMT-Paramedic. Many hold various specialty certifications and some operate fire and aerial apparatus. Most are career personnel in other departments throughout the state. MANY are also members of the IAFF in their own departments.    

Career Fire members receive NFPA 1500 full annual physicals and participate in physical fitness training on shift, structured by our Certified Fire Service Peer Fitness Trainers.

 In 2009, the Career Fire Division division handled 5372 calls for service in the City and West Ocean City, with 3938 being medical in nature and 1460 fire or rescue related.

All Fire Marshals are the following:

Certified Fire Fighters and at a minimum Certified Fire Inspector II and Hazardous Material Technicians.

Several are sworn Ocean City Police Officers, Certified Bomb Technicians, Certified Fire Investigators, and Certified Plans Examiners and hold many of the same specialty certifications, as Career Fire members.  

In 2009, the Office of the Fire Marshal handled 58 Bomb/Bio Chem Responses, 171 Investigations, 2990 Inspections, 558 Plan Reviews and 170 Complaints/Referrals in the City. The OFM also coordinates Fire Prevention activities.

Together we work as a well-rounded group of men and woman to provide protection to the residents and visitors of the greater Ocean City area.