Consultants tell Kent County volunteer fire companies face rising fleet costs, urge strategic plan and new revenue options

Kent County Levy Court received a detailed financial and operational study of the county’s 19 volunteer fire and EMS companies on Tuesday, with consultants warning equipment and fleet replacement costs outpace current revenue streams and urging a strategic, county-level approach to ensure long-term service sustainability.

The study, presented by consultants Kevin Roche and Natasha Nao of Facets LLC, analyzed five years of financial statements, call-volume data and management practices. Roche said the firms reviewed documents from every company in the county and graded financial health on 13 factors, including cash position, capital outlay and solvency.

Facets found no countywide deficits in 2023, with reported surpluses across companies ranging from about $98,000 to $1.4 million; the presentation reported county assets of roughly $111 million and liabilities totaling about $12.5 million. The consultants estimated state and county funding combined supplied roughly $17.7 million…