About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Fire Chiefs Committee

The Fire Chiefs Committee is comprised of officials from local, state, federal and non-profit organizations within the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) region. The Committee meets on a monthly basis to address issues of regional importance regarding Fire and Rescue policies and practices in the region.

The Fire Chiefs Committee advises the Emergency Preparedness Council (EPC), the Homeland Security Executive Committee (HSEC) and the Human Services and Public Safety Policy Subcommittee (HSPSPC) on regional issues related to the fire and rescue service.

The Fire Chiefs Committee oversees a number of regional technical subcommittees specific to hazardous materials response, technical rescue, public safety communications, emergency medical services, rail safety, firefighter health and safety, life safety, technology, training and bomb squads. Each subcommittee consists of individuals with specialized expertise and skills related to the particular topic, and they work and report on critical issues related to these matters.