Maryland fire fighters secure 42-hour work week thanks to union advocacy

Maryland now has a standardized 42-hour work week for all fire fighters across the state.  

Backed by the Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland (PFFMD), S.B. 445/H.B. 532 was recently signed into law by Governor Wes Moore. The legislation requires employers to pay fire fighters overtime for any hours worked beyond 168 hours in a 28-day period.  

In practice, this means all fire fighters in the state – regardless of what county or city they’re employed by – will begin receiving overtime pay after working 42 hours in a week.  

“Maryland’s fire fighters don’t hesitate when our communities are in danger, and our state won’t hesitate to give them the support they deserve,” said Moore. “By signing this legislation, we are saying thank you and cementing our unwavering partnership with the men and women who keep us safe.” 

While some fire fighters across Maryland have 42-hour weeks, in areas like Baltimore City or Montgomery County – the state’s most populous county – fire fighters are forced to work 48 hours a week before they qualify for overtime pay.  This complex system not only punishes first responders in high-population areas, but actively contributes to Maryland’s ongoing fire fighter shortage. 

“The PFFMD understood from the very beginning that this legislation was never just about overtime,” said General President Edward Kelly. “It was about safety, staffing, and fairness on the job. Their commitment to seeing this bill through to the end is a strong example of what determined, member-driven advocacy can achieve.” 

S.B. 445/H.B. 532 establishes a statewide standard, ensuring all Maryland fire fighters are treated fairly. 

“This landmark legislation clearly recognizes that the current patchwork of overtime rules for fire fighters is inequitable and out of step with the trend in the fire service toward reducing work hours,” said PFFMD President Jeffrey Buddle. 

“[This bill] ensures fairness by creating one uniform statewide standard where all fire fighters are treated equally,” added Buddle. “We thank Governor Wes Moore for his strong leadership and unwavering support of fire fighters in signing this bill into law.” 

Overtime reform has been a top priority for the PFFMD for multiple legislative sessions.  

Last year, similar legislation passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a vote of 134-1, highlighting the strong bipartisan support for fair work hours for fire fighters. Building on that momentum, the PFFMD worked closely with lawmakers in both chambers of the legislature to secure final passage.  

Thanks to their sustained advocacy and coalition building, their approach paid off.  

4^th District Vice President Andrew Pantelis also praised the PFFMD for their efforts. 

“This is a long-overdue win for Maryland’s fire fighters,” 4th District Vice President Andrew Pantelis said. “A fair statewide standard means better support for our members and stronger protections for the communities they serve. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the work President Buddle, the PFFMD Executive Board, and all Local leaders across the state did throughout the years-long fight,” he said. 

The bill, titled “Employment Standards – Fire Fighters – Payment of Wages and Payroll Information”, was introduced this session by State Senator Benjamin Kramer. Delegate Jared Solomon cross filed the House companion legislation.  

The new law will go into effect during Fiscal Year 2029. Fire fighters in Baltimore City and in Montgomery, Frederick, and Howard Counties will likely see the greatest impact.