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Emergency services and fire chiefs seek targeted equipment, training and turnout gear funding
Summary
Emergency services director Randy Lilly and Fire Chief Barton Roberts presented budget requests focused on hazardous-materials detection, swiftwater and turnout-gear replacement, thermal cameras, and modest operational increases tied to department growth.
Randy Lilly, Berkeley County’s emergency services director, and Fire Chief Barton Roberts presented a budget focused on equipment replacement, training and modest operational increases to support an expanding fire-rescue workforce.
Lilly told commissioners the request included maintenance and repair line increases to support specialized instrumentation (hazmat and radiological meters), additional turnout gear replacements, thermal-imaging cameras for arriving firefighters, and swiftwater rescue equipment; many line items matched or slightly exceeded last year’s allocations as the department adds firefighters.
Why it matters: Lilly said the added equipment helps keep firefighters and the public safe during responses and supports public outreach events. The presentation emphasized readiness for specialized hazards and routine replacements of costly personal protective equipment.
Key requests and details - Hazmat/radiological detection: an $18,000 maintenance-and-repair allocation (about half aimed at a library-upgrade of a hazmat ID meter and an ACE ID meter) and a $5,000 request for a radiological meter. - Turnout gear: replacement of two sets this year (estimated roughly $4,500 per set, $9,000 total) and additional personal thermal cameras (about $1,100 each; Lilly requested more units to cover new staff). - Swiftwater gear: requests for 12 helmets at $100 each and 12 pairs of swiftwater boots at $100 per pair; additional rope/pulley and carabiners and a $5,000 rope/pulley system for a swiftwater boat. - Enclosed trailer: Lilly described a $6,000 enclosed trailer request to transport outreach and emergency equipment for public‑safety events (he characterized this item as a want rather than an essential need).
Discussion and outcome Commissioners thanked Lilly and Roberts for the detail. The presenters said capital totals were generally a wash compared with last year (some capital reduced, some operating increased) and that requests tied to firefighter growth would be prioritized.
Ending Lilly said the department would continue incremental capital replacement and expand training as more firefighters are added; commissioners responded positively and offered support within county budget constraints.
