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Dorchester County to pursue $1 million FEMA AFG grant to buy a new ambulance/mass-casualty vehicle; 10% match expected
Summary
The council approved pursuing a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for up to $1,000,000 to purchase a new ambulance-style mass-casualty vehicle, agreed the vehicle must be new (not refurbished), and discussed storage, licensure and match funding (10% contingent on FY28 capital approval).
Dorchester County Council authorized staff to pursue a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application for a new ambulance-style mass-casualty vehicle with multiuse capability.
Staff described the vehicle as a purpose-built, new unit (refurbished or reconditioned vehicles are ineligible) and explained the vehicle could serve mass-casualty response, firefighter rehabilitation and cooling-station functions at large events. Staff described a likely vehicle footprint (roughly 33 feet long and 13 feet tall) and said they plan to keep the vehicle under 26,000 pounds so it can be driven with a regular Class C license by properly trained personnel and to limit specialized driver licensure needs. The AFG application’s maximum award is $1,000,000; a 10% match is required and would be proposed in FY28 capital budgets subject to future budget approvals.
Council discussed housing and maintenance: public-works staff indicated they can provide covered storage and maintenance support by reconfiguring county space. Staff said they already have three letters of stakeholder support (Talbot County health department, the regional health association and the office of Congressman Harris) and will pursue additional partnerships to help secure match funds. The council voted to proceed with the application by voice vote.
Why it matters: A new, dedicated mass-casualty/ambulance bus would expand the county’s emergency response capacity for large events and mass evacuations, but carries capital and ongoing maintenance costs and requires coordination for storage, training and future budget match commitments.
What’s next: Staff will continue to refine cost and outfitting estimates, secure partnership commitments for match funding where possible, and include the match requirement in proposed FY28 capital budgets pending final award.
