For more than a century, the Glen Echo Fire Department has answered the call for Southwest Montgomery County, protecting lives, homes, and businesses with courage, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to service. First organized in 1916 and formally established in 1931, GEFD today counts more than 100 active members who carry that mission forward, contributing 38,000 hours of service in 2025 alone.
Unfortunately, the station they depend on has not kept pace.
Architectural rendering is intended to illustrate the vision for the future GEFD First Responder Campus. Final design and features are subject to change.
Built in 1954, GEFD’s current station no longer meets the health, safety, and operational needs of modern fire and EMS response. Outdated infrastructure, poor ventilation, and unsafe conditions compound the health risks our personnel already face, including prolonged stress, disrupted sleep, and repeated exposure to hazardous substances. Without action, these challenges will continue to affect our first responders and the department’s ability to safely and effectively serve our community.
Over the decades, the community has grown significantly, but the facility has not. Today, roughly 100,000 residents depend on this station, which responds to thousands of emergency calls each year. While our firefighters continue to serve tirelessly, the building that houses them is struggling to support modern operational, safety, and wellness standards.
~100,000 residents depend on this station.
Modern emergencies demand modern facilities.
Fire and EMS personnel face increased health risks due to the cumulative demands of the profession. These are not just firefighters and EMS personnel. They are neighbors, parents, and volunteers who dedicate their lives to protecting this community.
The new GEFD First Responder Campus will replace a 70+ year-old facility with a modern, resilient home for fire and EMS personnel, designed to protect those who protect our community.
Advanced air-quality and ventilation systems designed to reduce exposure to contaminants, along with dedicated decontamination, fitness, recovery, and modern living spaces that support personnel health and well-being.
Optimized station layouts and improved access designed to support faster, safer deployment, with modern apparatus and operational spaces that improve readiness and day-to-day efficiency.
Dedicated training spaces and modern technology to support ongoing professional development, plus enhanced resources for emergency preparedness and community safety education.
A resilient, modern facility designed to meet the evolving needs of fire and EMS, with flexible spaces and infrastructure built to serve a growing community for generations to come.
As the station continues to age, annual maintenance costs rise while safety declines. Delaying action will only increase costs and risks as the building’s structural, mechanical, and electrical systems continue to deteriorate.
Due to funding limitations and bureaucratic processes within Montgomery County, the responsibility to act now rests with the department and the community it serves.
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