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Dorchester County council approves $1 million AFG grant application for ambulance bus with 10% match
Summary
The council unanimously authorized submission of a $1,000,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase an ambulance bus for mass-casualty response; the application requires a 10% local match, proposed from the FY28 capital budget and contingent on future approvals.
The Dorchester County Council on June 16, 2026 unanimously approved the submission of a $1,000,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase an ambulance bus intended for mass-casualty events and firefighter rehabilitation during larger incidents.
Marilyn Williams, Grants Writer in Finance, presented the request on behalf of Jimmy Windsor, Emergency Management Planner, and Debbie Wheedleton, EMS Chief. Williams said the AFG application would include a 10% local match; the council agreed that the match would be proposed in the FY28 capital budget and is contingent on future budget approvals and any additional funding assistance.
The grant application has a two-year performance period. Councilmembers expressed support for bolstering emergency medical surge capacity. Councilman Mike Detmer said he favored purchasing the ambulance bus to improve mass-casualty response; votes to submit the application were unanimous.
If awarded, the vehicle would be used for patient transport and on-scene rehabilitation during large incidents; procurement, vehicle specifications and operational funding would be subject to subsequent council approvals during the capital budget process.
The council also approved other grant submissions on the same agenda, including a smaller courthouse-security grant through the Administrative Office of the Courts.
