The mission of the Maryland State Firefighters Association is to serve, promote, advocate and represent the interests of the Volunteer Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services of Maryland.

In 1893, a group of dedicated volunteer firefighters had a vision for an organization whose sole purpose was to represent the volunteer fire departments of the State of Maryland. They founded the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, the organization’s original name at the time.

As the fire service evolved, so did the Association. In 2024, the membership voted to adopt the name Maryland State Firefighters Association to better reflect today’s fire service and its members while continuing the same mission and proud tradition established more than 130 years ago.

To this day, the MSFA remains steadfast in representing the interests of Maryland’s fire, rescue, and emergency medical services communities while continuing to support the state’s exceptional emergency services delivery system.

365 volunteer fire departments form the MSFA and provide emergency services daily across the entire state. They respond to hundreds of thousands of requests for assistance supported with the delivery of fire, rescue and emergency medical services. About 25,000 volunteer members respond to calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Through the efforts of the MSFA and the volunteer fire departments that make up its membership, the state of Maryland is a safer place to live, work and play. The dedication and commitment to service by the individuals who serve the volunteer department saves taxpayers millions of dollars annually and provides one of the best service delivery systems in the nation.