Ocean City Fire Department now operating out of new fire station

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Monday was the first full operational day of the Ocean City Fire Department’s brand new Midtown Fire Station.

The Ocean City Fire Department’s new station includes impressive technical upgrades, but some of these improvements are just simple quality of life things like having enough space to operate safely next to your vehicle: “What we find is that there’s a much safer area between the apparatus for our firefighters and paramedics to walk through. So it’s really been big for us.”

The new facility means more space for working, and more space for training life-saving skills like repelling and patient removal. “We have a mezzanine area that’s designed for training and we’re looking forward to being able to train in any type of inclement weather conditions. Right now, we might not be able to throw ladders or if it’s icy or snowy outside, but we can now do that inside,” said Community and Department Engagement Officer, Ryan Whittington.

Another level of safety for first responders is added by a dedicated decontamination zone. “[When there’s] blood or vomit or anything that we may get on us, we have a area that we can clean ourselves and not take it through the entire station.”

Whittington said the new living spaces are what the crew is most excited about: “When it comes to the quality of life we’re most excited about the kitchen area. It’s a large open area for our firefighters and EMS clinicians to gather. We also have a large hallway with lockers and even the bunk rooms allow for us to keep our crew continuity.”

The $12 million firehouse already feels like home for the Ocean City Fire Department.

“The town has really done a good job at creating an environment for us that is much more safer and a place that we can really call home after our calls for service.”