Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner announced the appointment of Kevin Fox (pictured far right) of Thurmont as Deputy Fire Chief and Director of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services.
“Kevin brings years of experience in both the volunteer and career fire service,” Executive Gardner said. “He is well-respected, professional, and will hit the ground running. As the Director of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, he will be able to listen to the many needs of volunteers around the county, represent their interests, and build consensus on complex issues. I am confident Kevin Fox will do an outstanding job for the citizens of Frederick County.”
In this role, Fox will support the work of, and coordinate with, Frederick County’s volunteer fire and rescue companies. Fox has served as acting director since December 2017, when Clarence “Chip” Jewell retired.
Fox was selected through an open recruitment process. He has extensive knowledge of both the career and volunteer sides of emergency services. He has volunteered as an EMT and firefighter for more than thirty years, serving in numerous leadership positions, including past president of the Thurmont Community Ambulance Services and vice president of Guardian Hose Company in Thurmont. He has worked for Frederick County Government since 1990, first as an emergency communications dispatcher, and then, in 1999, as a firefighter with the Division of Fire and Rescue Services. For the past four years, Fox has been the division’s spokesperson. In 2015, he was promoted to battalion chief. Fox also teaches part-time for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.
Pictured from left are VHC Fire Chief Chad Umbel, Dave Zentz, and Director/Deputy Chief of Frederick County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Services Kevin Fox.
Photo Courtesy of Vigilant Hose Company
