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Garden City Fire District seeks $181,002 for Marine Safety Initiative, urges cross-county coordination
Summary
Battalion Chief Moore asked for $181,001.94 to continue the Marine Safety Initiative (jet-ski rescue teams, side-by-side vehicles and additional weekend staffing) and called for greater coordination with Georgetown County to share assets and reduce duplicated costs.
Garden City Fire District officials described the Marine Safety Initiative (MMSI) and asked the committee to restore expanded support for water-rescue staffing.
Battalion Chief Moore said the program provides jet-ski rescuers with advanced medical training, side-by-side vehicles and dedicated weekend coverage on the beach; last year the district received $75,000 but requested $181,001.94 this fiscal year to continue expanded staffing and replace equipment cut by earlier budget reductions. He said the MMSI model has reduced drowning incidents in the district and that coordination with neighboring Georgetown County could yield steady funding of approximately $100,000 if the two counties agree to share resources.
Committee members discussed jurisdictional questions and whether ATAX funds should support units that cross county lines; chief Moore said mutual-aid responses occur but funding should remain aligned with the geographic area the county is covering and with reciprocity agreements when practical.
