Representatives of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department presented operational highlights and capital needs to the Budget & Finance Committee, including apparatus replacement funding and requests for breathing-air packs and EMS tablet upgrades.

Fire department speakers said volunteers contributed more than 3,800 hours responding to 335 fire calls in the prior year and roughly 2,125 EMS calls. They described aging equipment costs and rising apparatus prices; speakers noted a fire truck that once cost $350,000–$400,000 is now quoted closer to $1 million.

The department requested phased replacements for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to equip a new engine (estimated per-pack quotes in the $10,000–$13,000 range) and introduced a new line for EMS capital to update tablets and electronic records in medic units. The department said it had applied for federal Assistance to Firefighters and other grants to offset costs and is reapplying where previous applications were unsuccessful.

Committee members asked about the Southside fire house project; staff confirmed that the Southside station is outside this budget because it is contingent on a referendum and separate funding decisions. Staff and the department agreed to provide updated asset-replacement schedules and to supply grant terms for committee review.

Fire department presenters asked for continued town–association coordination on apparatus reserves and replacement funding; staff noted the proposed budget incorporates an increased apparatus-reserve contribution (shared cost model with OVA referenced in department materials).