Firefighters clash over Prince George's budget-setting panel | Washington Examiner

Volunteers were unsuccessful in attempts to work with county officials and stopped negotiations with the fire department, wrote Glenn Sherman, president of the county Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, in a letter to County Executive Rushern Baker and Fire Chief Marc Bashoor in early January.

Bashoor said volunteers backed away from negotiations with the fire department shortly after the letter was sent, opting instead to negotiate directly with the county executive's office.

Sherman did not return calls for comment.

Baker's proposal, which he withdrew in October, would have overhauled the commission to include three volunteers, three career firefighters and three civilians instead of the nine volunteers on the current panel. Commission members would be nominated, rather than elected from the volunteer ranks.

The two sides have since returned to the negotiating table, and firefighters now have until May 1 to reach a compromise.