Council committee unanimously approves nearly $2 million state Amos grant for volunteer fire departments

The Montgomery County committee voted unanimously on July 21 to approve a supplemental appropriation accepting a state Senator Amos Fire Rescue and Ambulance Fund (state 508) grant of approximately $1,995,000 to support renovation of volunteer fire stations and acquisition of equipment.

"This is a supplemental appropriation to approve a state grant ... which is approximately $2,000,000," Council staff member Ms. Farag said, and staff emphasized the funds would not affect the county general fund undesignated reserves. Eric Bernard, executive director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Rescue Association, explained the application and review process used for the grant: notice to all 19 local fire and rescue departments, a roughly 30-day application window, review by an MCVFRA funding committee and board, a 30-day appeal period, technical review by MCFRS subject-matter experts, and final consensus between MCFRS and MCVFRA before submission to the council.

Councilmember Lueke moved to approve the supplemental appropriation and a committee member seconded. The chair called for a vote; all members raised their hands in favor and the committee approved the appropriation.

Council staff transmitted that the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice provided a racial equity and impact assessment noting the supplemental request provided "no evidence of a documented process that considers racial or other disproportionalities" in distribution and renovation priorities; staff recommended approval while noting that assessment for committee consideration.

The committee had no further amendments and adjourned after the vote.