Howard County Executive Ball Selects Louis Winston As New Fire Chief
ELLICOTT CITY (WJZ) -- Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive, named Louis Winston to be the next Chief of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS).
Winston served three decades in the department, and prior to his retirement in January 2020, he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief.
His appointment becomes effective September 7, 2021.
"He is an innovative and progressive leader who has the experience to carry on the traditions of our Department while shaping and preparing it for the future," said Ball.
Winston joined the Department on February 12, 1990, and served under seven fire chiefs and six county executives. Prior to his appointment as a Deputy Chief in 2019, Winston held a Chief Officer position for more than six years.
He served as a field Battalion Chief and as an Assistant Chief where he managed the Administrative Services Bureau overseeing recruitment, human resources and the Department's budget.
"We are excited to welcome Chief Winston back to the Department. Our leadership team had the opportunity to work closely with Chief Winston in several of his prior roles in the agency and developed a tremendous working relationship with him during his career," said Richard L. Ruehl, President of the Howard County Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 2000.
