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Ocean View approves $84,443 grant for volunteer fire turnout gear and continues ambulance subscription service
Summary
Council approved an $84,443 grant from the emergency enhancement fund to Milville Volunteer Fire Company for turnout gear and radio straps, and unanimously renewed a three‑year ambulance subscription service to protect residents from ambulance balance bills.
Ocean View — The Town Council unanimously approved two measures aimed at buttressing local emergency services: an $84,443 grant request from the Milville Volunteer Fire Company for personal protective equipment and the continuation of the town’s ambulance subscription program.
Doug Scott, fire chief for the Milville Volunteer Fire Company, told council the 501(c)(3) company serves Milville, Ocean View and surrounding areas and is requesting $84,443 from the town’s emergency enhancement fund to purchase 15 sets of turnout gear (coats, pants and helmets), 20 radio straps and related PPE. "Turnout gear is essential for our firefighters," Scott said, describing a required replacement life of about 10 years under NFPA standards and explaining that the equipment is necessary both for firefighter safety and for training new recruits. He asked for flexibility on purchase timing and quantities provided the total grant amount is not exceeded.
Council moved and approved the grant; staff indicated the purchase will be processed from the emergency enhancement fund and that the town will coordinate payment timing with the fire company.
On a related item, staff presented a three‑year ambulance subscription agreement (May 1, 2026–April 30, 2029) that offers residents a reduced subscription rate and aims to prevent residents from owing balances for ambulance transports by writing off any unpaid balance after insurance billing. Scott and staff described outreach methods (newsletter, website, social media) and procedures to help residents who receive bills in error work with the fire department to resolve them. Council voted to continue the subscription service.
Both measures passed on unanimous voice votes. The grant will be processed from the town’s emergency enhancement fund; council asked staff to notify the fire company when funds are scheduled to be disbursed.
