Charles County Board of Fire Rescue Commissioners Meeting - June 18, 2026

This summary is based on the meeting transcript; no agenda or minutes were provided. Chair Lynn Gilroy presided at the June 18, 2026, evening meeting. Also participating were Vice Chair Bill Deere (remote), board members Natasha Super Perry and Robert Ansel, staff member Mr. Smith (online), and Potomac Heights President Molly Valentine (online). The board approved the prior meeting's minutes, approved a capital project overage, approved an emergency roof request, and received financial and operational updates.

Attendance, Call to Order, and Minutes

• Chair Lynn Gilroy opened the meeting and introduced board members. Bill Deere served as vice chair and represented the Charles County Association of EMS; Natasha Super Perry is the governor's appointee; Robert Ansel is the county commissioner appointee.
• The board approved the minutes of the May 21, 2026, meeting by voice vote; Bill Deere seconded the motion.

Financial Reports

• Bill Deere presented the May 2026 LOSAP (transcribed as 'Low SAP') report. Total funds on hand as of May 31, 2026, were $25,670,466.63, consisting of $25,039,460.28 in principal and $631,006.35 in Wilmington Trust. The end-of-April total was $25,260,083.46.
• Wilmington Trust gained one recipient, for a total of 326. Benefits paid were $96,881.89; total Wilmington Trust expenses were $97,804.52, including $922.63 in fees. There was one stopped payment distribution of $277.50, and interest earned was $2,061.04. The reported change in value for Wilmington Trust for May was -$95,465.98. The principal account had no transfers, fees, or expenses.
• Deere also presented May 2026 escrow account expenditures as a letter of information, including the FirstNet/Verizon transition refund of $396.24, FirstNet expenditures, administrative accounts, vehicle fuel and maintenance invoices, and a $1,200 scholarship reimbursement. He noted these expenses had been approved by the fire and EMS executive committees.

Letters of Information

• Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department reported the Truck 11 replacement drawings were awaiting committee review, and solar panel installation had begun on May 19, 2026.
• Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department submitted final reports for Command Unit 9 and Engine 9-4, both placed in service on April 25. Command Unit 9 cost $92,401.30 versus $84,264.77 approved, a 9.655% overage. Engine 9-4 cost $122,720.53 versus $121,613.47 approved, a 0.9% overage; both were under the 10% allowance.
• Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department reported Engine 32 production was delayed 30 days, with estimated completion July 29, 2026, and final inspection after August 1, 2026. No new updates were available for ambulances 39 and 399.
• Westlake Volunteer Fire Department and EMS reported the PL Custom MLAS ambulance contract had been transferred from Waldorf to Westlake and all parties had executed the agreement. Chassis delivery is expected September 2026, with final delivery in the second quarter of 2027.
• The Station 12 remodel update said the men's room, public restroom, and control room were completed; the women's restroom was about 90% complete; kitchen work had not begun; completion was anticipated in June 2026.
• Charles County Association of EMS President Roberta Spaulding confirmed EMS apparatus equipment standards had passed under the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Seal of Excellence Program. All ambulances passed except Ambulance 78, completed May 27, and ambulances 79, 129, 148, 399, and 589, which were out of service for repairs or mechanical issues. The chairman noted this item may have been read the prior month.

Actions Taken

• The board approved the Station 12 bay door replacement project final closeout overage. The original approved cost was $139,808, the final cost was $153,930, and the increase was $14,122, or 10.1%, attributed to previously unknown electrical infrastructure needed for the new door operators. The executive committee had already approved the overage; the board approved it by voice vote and directed that it be signed and submitted as part of the record.
• The board approved a Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad emergency request to repair and/or replace the hose tower and pursue replacement of the flat roof portions using building allowance funds. The department reported about $7,000 in roof repair costs over two years, with estimates of $18,212 for EPDM roof repair and $14,626 for TPO roof repair, and described the hose tower as requiring immediate attention. Chair Gilroy stated he had already authorized the emergency work under the emergency purchase process after determining it met the emergency threshold. The board approved the request by voice vote; Molly Valentine, department president, was online and acknowledged the approval. The department agreed to return with bid details and a follow-up request for the remaining roof work.

New Business and Program Updates

• Mr. Smith (online) reported the high school cadet program was on summer recess. Nineteen applicants had been accepted for class 31 in the fall; nine cadets from class 30 would return to take EMT training, and 12 cadets had completed the two-year program this year, yielding 21 new volunteer EMTs in the county. He said the two-year fire/EMS curriculum separation had been very beneficial and projected 15 students in EMT training this year. He planned to bring cadets to meet the board at the start of the school year.
• Mr. Smith also reported the EMS pickup truck was staged at the office with water and ice and available for emergency incidents; the safety officer could deploy it when needed.
• Mr. Smith said he would attend the MSFA convention over the weekend, return Wednesday, and be back in the office on Thursday, June 25, with a report to the board next month.
• Vice Chair Bill Deere noted several new EMTs passed the practical at the training center the previous Saturday, including his daughter; the chairman congratulated them.

Upcoming Capital Project Reports

• The chairman listed reports expected for next month: Charles County Rescue Squad ambulance 518; Cobb Island Volunteer Fire and EMS fire rescue boat 6 and ambulance 6-8; Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department car 3; and Westlake Volunteer Fire Department and EMS EMS utility 12 and fire utility 12. Reminders were to be emailed.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the May 21, 2026, meeting minutes by voice vote.
• Approved the Station 12 bay door project overage of $14,122 (10.1%) by voice vote.
• Approved the Potomac Heights emergency roof/hose tower request by voice vote.
• Received and accepted all letters of information, including final apparatus reports and quarterly project updates.
• Directed Potomac Heights to follow up with detailed bids and a separate request for remaining roof work.
• Directed reminders to be sent for the next month's capital project reports.
• Adjourned by voice vote.