Maryland Native Starts Monday With Howard County Fire Department As New Deputy Chief

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A former assistant chief with the Baltimore City Fire Department will assume the position of deputy chief with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Tavon Claggett officially joins the department Monday after serving 25 years with the BCFD as a firefighter/paramedic up to assistant chief. He also served as a division chief with the Roswell Fire Department in Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in health systems and a master’s degree in public administration and management from the University of Baltimore.

“Today is an exciting day for our department,” said Howard County Fire Chief Louis Winston. “We are privileged to welcome Deputy Chief Tavon Claggett, who brings years of fire service knowledge and experience with him. Deputy Chief Claggett is an innovative and progressive leader, with the technical skills and a passion for public safety that will help lead our already great department into the future.”

Claggett also has been an instructor for Baltimore City Community College’s EMT and paramedic courses for more than two decades. He has served on several regional committees and boards, including Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems EMS Education Council, Howard County Community College EMS Program Advisory Board and Baltimore City Community College’s EMS Advisory Board.

“Having served the majority of my career in the same region as Howard County, it’s an honor to join such a prestigious department,” Claggett said, who was born and raised in Baltimore. “I truly believe there is no higher calling than public service and look forward to working alongside such an outstanding group of firefighters and professionals. I’m thankful for Fire Chief Lou Winston and County Executive Ball for giving me this opportunity and putting their trust in me.”