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Wicomico County budget adds ARFF lieutenant, seeks federal grant for additional firefighter
Summary
County airport officials asked the Council to approve a retitling and a grant‑contingent new Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) position, and outlined operating and capital budget changes tied to new commercial service and a planned ARFF facility.
Wicomico County Airport Director Tommy Rudi told the County Council on April 30 that the airport is requesting a retitle of an existing position to an ARFF lieutenant and that it is seeking a federal SAFER grant to fund an additional ARFF firefighter position.
The request appears in the airport fund budget as both grant revenue and the associated expense for the new firefighter position; "if we do not get the position, the position won't be hired," County Finance Director Pamela Lynn said during the discussion. Rudi said the grant opportunity is not yet open and, if awarded, would fund the new firefighter for three years before the county would assume the ongoing cost.
Why it matters: Council members pressed for clarity because the county's staffing and operating costs at the airport are rising alongside passenger growth and the possibility of an additional airline. Rudi said expanded commercial hours from Piedmont Airlines and a potential new carrier have increased coverage needs, prompting the requested supervisory rank and extra staffing.
Rudi and Lynn described other operating and capital impacts included in the airport budget. Deicing chemical is listed at about $1 per pound and one aircraft‑deicing treatment uses roughly 4,000 pounds; Lynn said the county must keep a stock on hand to avoid a runway or terminal closure during winter storms. The airport anticipates higher electric costs tied to a new ARFF building and until a planned solar field comes online the budget assumes elevated electricity expenses.
Capital requests and grants include a state allocation of $1.5 million for design and site preparation of a new hangar intended for a mechanic school; Rudi said the hangar would be located near the Maryland State Police facility on the airport and would be used for the mechanic training program. The county also expects revenue from leasing a new fuel farm site to Bayland Aviation and from increased terminal parking as passenger counts grow.
Council members asked for more detail on the professional services line, which includes funds for drafting a rental car RFP and additional consultant agreements; Rudi said the airport plans to hire outside experts to ensure competitive contracts and protect county interests. He also described planned equipment purchases (boom lift, snow equipment, floor scrubber and mower) that drive a heavy‑equipment increase to roughly $210,000.
The council did not take a vote on the airport items during the session; staff said the grant‑funded firefighter position will only be activated if and when grant award paperwork is finalized.
