Maryland Public Safety Section 7-302

      (a)      This section applies only to Baltimore County, Caroline County, Cecil County, Queen Anne's County, and Washington County.

      (b)      The sheriff of a county subject to this section may appoint as deputy sheriffs members of fire companies, whether volunteer, career, incorporated, or unincorporated, to exercise the powers of deputy sheriffs at fires and while going to and from fires.

      (c)      (1)      The commanding officer may designate three members of the fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriffs.

            (2)      The commanding officer may be one of the three members designated under this subsection.

      (d)      (1)      (i)      Except in Caroline County, the sheriff of a county subject to this section shall appoint as deputy sheriff a member of the fire company designated under subsection (c) of this section on request of the designated member.

                  (ii)      In Caroline County, the Sheriff of Caroline County may appoint the designated member as deputy sheriff.

            (2)      A request for appointment shall be accompanied by a written certificate of designation signed by the commanding officer.

      (e)      (1)      Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a member of a fire company appointed as deputy sheriff under this section may exercise the powers of deputy sheriffs at fires and while going to and from fires.

            (2)      The powers of members appointed as deputy sheriffs do not apply and may not be exercised in a municipal corporation that maintains an organized police force.

            (3)      In Washington County, a member appointed as deputy sheriff has the powers necessary to perform the duties of deputy sheriffs while going to, functioning at, or returning from:

                  (i)      fires;

                  (ii)      accidents;

                  (iii)      floods;

                  (iv)      other emergencies; or

                  (v)      other functions conducted by a fire company.

      (f)      (1)      The appointment of a member of a fire company as deputy sheriff terminates if the member ceases to be a member of the fire company.

            (2)      The sheriff of a county subject to this section may remove a member appointed as deputy sheriff at any time for just cause.

            (3)      If a member appointed as deputy sheriff dies, resigns, is dismissed, refuses to serve, or is unable to serve, the commanding officer may designate another member of the fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriff.

            (4)      (i)      Except in Caroline County, if the commanding officer designates another member of the fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriff, the sheriff of the county shall appoint that member as deputy sheriff, subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section.

                  (ii)      In Caroline County, the Sheriff of Caroline County may appoint the designated member as deputy sheriff.

      (g)      In Washington County, a member of a fire company appointed as deputy sheriff under this section is deemed an appointed official and shall be treated as an appointed official for purposes of Titles 22 and 23 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.