Charles County Board of Fire and Rescue Commissioners Meeting - August 20, 2026

No agenda or minutes were provided; this summary is based on the meeting transcript. Chairman Lynn Gilroy presided, joined by board members, county commissioner appointees Quincy Colby and Robert Ansel, and staff. The board reviewed financial reports, project updates, and capital requests, and approved several funding items.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of the July 16, 2026 meeting (motion by Bill Deer, seconded by Robert Ansel).
• The July 2026 Low SAP report was reviewed: total funds at the end of July were $25,386,419.67, down $145,877 from June's $25,532,297; 334 recipients received disbursements. Wilmington Trust benefits totaled $9,304.36, the account earned $1,497, and total monthly deposits were $1,775.60; Wilmington Trust's value change was a negative $96,934.33. Principal Financial paid $3,123.61 in fees. A board member noted disbursements will remain negative until tax funds are transferred into the account in November or December.
• The July 2026 escrow account expenditure letter was accepted as submitted. Listed expenses included the coordinator account ($10,247), FirstNet mobile data terminals ($6,664.96), cadet uniforms ($6,231.92), MDT coordinator salary ($15,255.32), and other fuel, telephone, administrative, scholarship, and maintenance invoices.

Letters of Information and Project Updates

• Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department submitted a letter of intent to replace Command 10, a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe with 110,690 miles; sale proceeds will go to the fire apparatus escrow account.
• Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad provided quarterly updates: Ambulance 5.8 was delivered to FESCO (the local Horton dealer) in late July after a July inspection trip, and equipment mounting and radio installation were beginning. The donated chassis designated Fire Utility 5 has completed body work and graphics, and is awaiting communications redesignation and the standards process.
• Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department reported that Truck 11 returned to service after a new crate motor and radiator repair costing $63,534.26, paid from the OM account; the letter of information was required because the expense exceeded $50,000.
• Dentsville Volunteer Fire and EMS reported full permit approval for its new pole barn; bonding, permit documents, and construction bid documents are in progress.
• Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad reported its EMS storage pole building is fully erected with concrete flooring poured, a final inspection expected in early August, and museum interior refinishing about half complete with completion expected by end of August. Hughesville also submitted letters of intent to replace three aging EMS bay doors and to add an HVAC unit to the second-floor EMS bunk room.
• Newburgh Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department requested cancellation of its Ambulance 1483 chassis project because FESCO/Horton delivery delays left the unit sitting outside; the committee will re-evaluate and return with a future request.
• Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department provided a quarterly update on its ambulance replacement: the DPC Emergency Equipment contract was signed March 3, 2026, and delivery remains on track for fall 2028. Potomac Heights also reported final completion of hose tower repairs at a total cost of $23,949.49, which was 5.04% over the approved budget and within the 10% margin.
• 10th District Volunteer Fire Department reported the final Engine 82 replacement outcome: standards inspection passed on August 5, 2026, with no exceptions; final cost was $839,966 versus the approved $819,128, under the 10% overage limit; the unit is now in service.
• Westlake Volunteer Fire and EMS advised that it is forming a committee to investigate replacement of Engine 121; any future replacement would follow the capital acquisition process.

Action Requests and Votes

• The Charles County Volunteer Fire Association requested acceptance of a donated 2009 Chevrolet Suburban from Westlake Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad. The vehicle has roughly 156,000 miles, will support the association's Safety Officer program, needs minor repairs not to exceed $3,000, and has an estimated total in-service cost of $6,100 funded from the association's vehicle escrow account. The County Fire Chiefs endorsed the request with a vote of 12 yes, 1 no, and 2 companies absent. The board approved the donation (motion by Bill Deer, seconded by Robert Ansel).
• The association's Special Operations Chief, Ryan Serkotowski, requested $8,533.91 for Milwaukee M18 battery-powered tools for the structural collapse team. The special operations account balance is $110,000, leaving $101,466.09 after the purchase, above the $40,000 required reserve. The board approved the purchase; items had already been ordered.
• La Plata Volunteer Fire Department requested $221,420 in architectural and engineering funding for renovation and addition work at its 25-year-old fire station. The request was removed from the table (motion by Bill Deer, seconded by Robert Ansel). Bids were received from CMI ($199,631 total), Garner Construction ($221,700 total), and WM Davis ($221,420 total); La Plata selected WM Davis. Funding will come from the capital building escrow account with no debt. During discussion, La Plata representatives clarified the work will proceed in two phases, the addition will use existing south parking, and the original site plan includes phase two rear gravel parking. A board member suggested that if the county-provided collapse trailer leaks, the county should replace it. The board approved the request unanimously.
• 10th District Volunteer Fire Department submitted a request to purchase a 2027 Ford F-150 crew cab 4x4 for $82,217.34, using $13,110 in EMS 508 funds, $22,048 in Fire 508 funds, and $47,059 in non-tax funds, with no debt. The proposal was read into the record and tabled to the next meeting (motion by Bill Deer, seconded by Robert Ansel) after executive committee review.

Volunteer Coordinator Report

• Chief Wayne Higgins is home and recovering after a brief hospital stay.
• The EMS trailer is being wrapped and then will pick up a UTV from Company 8.
• Twenty-four cadets are starting Monday; half will attend the 911 dispatch class and half common passenger rescue training, and there are vacancies available to county volunteers.
• A Clear Channel contract was signed for two new recruiting signs on Route 301 in the White Plains area.
• The recruiter, Chris, was reported to be cancer-free and back to normal activity.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the July minutes, Low SAP report, and July escrow expenditure letter.
• Approved the donated Suburban for the Safety Officer program.
• Approved the $8,533.91 special operations equipment purchase.
• Approved the $221,420 La Plata architectural/engineering request.
• Tabled the 10th District Vehicle 8 purchase until the next meeting.
• Removed completed projects from tracking, including Potomac Heights hose tower and 10th District Engine 82, and removed the cancelled Newburgh ambulance chassis project from the quarterly report list.
• The next meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2026; Capital Project Quarterly Reports are due at that meeting for Bryans Road Truck 11 replacement, Bryans Road Solar Energy Project, Engine Head Brush Truck Engine 94, Potomac Heights roof replacement, Waldorf Engine 32, Waldorf Ambulances 39 and 399, Westlake Ambulance 127, and Westlake Station 12 remodel.