Dickenson County board approves permission for Clintwood and Hesai rescues to apply for grants, agrees to 30% match

The Dickenson County board voted to let Clintwood Rescue and Hesai Rescue apply for regional EMS grants and agreed to cover the required 30% local match if the squads are awarded the funds.

A county presenter told the board the Clintwood request initially listed equipment to outfit three ambulances — including three drills, three needle sets, Kinwood mobile radios and two onboard computers — with a paperwork figure read aloud as $19,428. Staff said adding required training/TE books raised that single-squad total to about $28,251, and a related regional application for both squads (to cover ESO software and additional medications) was listed at $25,800 with a 30% match of $7,740.

Board members discussed how the county would pay its share. Staff said the county is facing a tight budget and that any match likely would be drawn from reserves and later considered during the upcoming budget workshop. "If we can pay for 30% instead of full price, I would recommend that we do that," the presenter said, describing the match as a way to obtain needed equipment at reduced net cost to squads.

The board also reviewed vehicle quotes tied to a separate ambulance purchase. Staff read a diesel-ambulance quote of roughly $451,681 and referenced a prior gas-model award near $428,367; staff estimated the county match on a diesel at about $135,504. A local responder, Mr. Bartley, said he runs two older diesel ambulances (about 15 and 16 years old) and has invested heavily in their maintenance, but he said he would not argue with the board if it preferred a gas vehicle.

Members exchanged views about diesel versus gas engines and noted a possible Ford fleet discount on chassis that could lower final costs. With combined items and available discounts, staff estimated the county's total match exposure — including the ambulance and smaller equipment requests — at roughly $152,000, acknowledging figures read in the meeting were approximate.

A board member moved to "approve the match for the rescue squad" and to "allow them to apply for the grants." Another member seconded the motion (addressed in the meeting as Miss Willis). The board approved the motion by voice vote, with members saying "I" and no opposition recorded. The action authorizes squads to apply and commits the county to providing the 30% match if awards are received.

The meeting record shows no roll-call tally; staff said budget details will be revisited in the county's budget workshop and that awarded items would need to be incorporated into future budget planning. The board adjourned the recess meeting shortly afterward.