Emergency Services Board advocates for St. Mary's County volunteer incentive program

The St. Mary's County Budget Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2026 took place on April 22, 2025, focusing on the proposed volunteer incentive program aimed at supporting local fire and emergency medical services (EMS). The meeting featured key representatives from the volunteer fire and EMS community, including the chair of the Emergency Services Board and the chief of the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department, who emphasized the importance of the program for retaining and recruiting volunteers.

The chair highlighted the extensive collaborative efforts that have gone into developing the volunteer incentive program, which has been in the works since 2018. The initiative aims to provide property tax incentives and stipends to volunteers, addressing two primary goals: retaining current volunteers and increasing the number of responders available for emergency calls. The chair expressed optimism that this program could serve as a model for other jurisdictions.

Ken Hicks, chief of the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, also spoke in favor of the program, thanking county officials for their support and collaboration. He noted that the proposed program could cost the county up to $1.6 million but emphasized that this investment is significantly outweighed by the value of the services provided by the volunteer personnel, which he estimated at over $1.15 million annually.

Brandon Russell, a community member, voiced his support for the initiative but urged caution regarding its implementation. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the program is executed smoothly to avoid any issues for the volunteers.

The meeting underscored the critical role of volunteers in maintaining public safety in St. Mary's County and the community's commitment to enhancing support for these essential services. The discussions will likely influence budget decisions as the county moves forward with planning for the upcoming fiscal year.