Charles County Board of Fire Rescue Commissioners Meeting - October 15, 2026

The Charles County Board of Fire Rescue Commissioners met on October 15, 2026, with Chairman Lynn Gilroy presiding. Attendees included Vice Chairman Bill Deere, county commissioner representatives Robert Ansel and Quincy Colby (online), and governor's appointee Natasha Super Perry (online). The board approved routine items, heard fiscal and apparatus updates, tabled several Newburgh capital requests, approved the Newburgh Engine 143 replacement, approved 2027 distribution budgets, and authorized an early LOSAP transfer.

Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals

• The September 17, 2026 meeting minutes were approved by voice vote.
• The LOSAP investment report for September 2026 was received. Total funds were $24,940,534.48 at the end of September, a decrease of $737,649.40 from August. Wilmington Trust expenses totaled $101,660, with $1,475.50 in deposits; the change in value was -$99,785.69. Projections indicate a need to transfer funds into the disbursement account, and a future agenda item will address LOSAP distribution changes.
• Monthly expenditures and escrow account activity for September 2026 were accepted as letters of information, including pre-approved quarters, Verizon/MDT, vehicle fuel, uniforms, and special operations equipment expenses approved by the fire and EMS executive committees.
• Final closeout reports were received for Westlake Volunteer Fire & EMS Department EMS Utility 12 (final cost $81,131.49, $34.31 under the approved $81,165.80) and Fire Utility 12 (final cost $87,231.49, $1,144.34 under the approved $88,375.83).
• Quarterly updates were received for replacement Ambulance 518 (chassis delivered to Horton; possible November delivery), Cobb Island Ambulance 68 (waiting to begin production), Cobb Island Fire Rescue Boat 6 (scheduled for December 2026 delivery, but possible delay due to government contracts), and the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department roof replacement (work began October 5, with rooftop AC units removed and reinstalled by the AC contractor). In addition, Cobb Island advised that it was awarded a DNR grant to replace inflatable boat 6A and will bring a request next month.

Reports and Announcements

• Westlake Volunteer Fire & EMS Department reported that JAG Construction will not complete the remaining renovation work at Station 12. The department has retained counsel (Rudolph Carico) to document the work status, reconcile payments, preserve records, and determine how to complete the project. No board action was requested.
• Fire/EMS Coordinator Bill Smith announced passings of charter member and past chief Bird Raby (Company 7) and Life Member Thomas Mole Killum (Company 1), and thanked departments for Fire Prevention Week participation. He noted the FEMA recruitment/retention grant has $25,000 available for the next quarter and ends December 2027, with plans to reapply. Legislation removing the salary/income cap for the volunteer property tax incentive has been sent to Annapolis. The cadet program has 22 cadets, with 12 enrolled in EMT. The EMS Association UTV/trailer was purchased, and the Safety 17 vehicle was procured from Westlake.

Discussion and Action Items

• A previously submitted letter of intent for an HVAC project was withdrawn by the Hughesville department; no further action was taken.
• Hughesville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad's request to replace three EMS bay doors (Garage Doors and More LLC bid $48,300 vs. Overhead Door of Washington, D.C. bid $87,088; over $4,000 spent on maintenance this year) was tabled until next month. Board members asked for a corrected letter clarifying that funding is EMS-only and documenting approval by the department's business meeting.
• Newburgh Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department's HVAC replacement request was tabled until next month. Bids ranged from $344,991 to $500,492.92. The board requested an amended letter identifying the funding source and noting the one-year free maintenance included in the contract.
• Newburgh's B UTV 14 replacement request was tabled until next month. The selected package totals $50,422.39 (2026 CANAM Defender from Atlantic Cycle and Power for $35,154; Chemtech skid unit for $7,668.39; $4,000 in-house install; $7,600 trailer).
• Newburgh's Engine 143 replacement was approved, including a waiver of the 30-day layover period. The 2030 Pierce Enforcer through Atlantic Emergency Solutions is estimated at $1,259,580; the department will make a $500,000 prepayment to take advantage of a vendor savings program and finance the remainder. The layover waiver was needed to lock in pricing before a November 1, 2026 price increase.
• The 2027 EMS distribution budget and 2027 fire distribution budget, both previously tabled, were untabled and approved by voice votes. Distribution will begin next month.
• The board approved transferring $1,149,387 in budgeted LOSAP funds early to the Wilmington Trust account so benefit payments can continue without reducing the investment portfolio.
• The Capital Acquisition Submission Approval Policy amendments were tabled until the executive committee approves them. Proposed changes include a 12-month letter-of-intent validity, removal of the required 30-day tabling period, a simple-majority vote for emergency purchases, and an increase in the large-purchase reporting threshold from $50,000 to $75,000.
• The Capital Projects Report was presented for information, with several items still under investigation, including donated vehicles from the Charles County Sheriff's Office, Dentsville EMS Fire Auxiliary building, Hughesville outbuilding, and 10th District Vehicle 8 replacement.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes, LOSAP-related routine reports, and final closeouts.
• Tabled Hughesville bay doors, Newburgh HVAC, and Newburgh UTV 14 pending amended letters or further review.
• Approved Newburgh Engine 143 replacement and 30-day layover waiver.
• Approved 2027 EMS and fire distribution budgets.
• Approved early LOSAP transfer of $1,149,387.
• Tabled Capital Acquisition Submission Approval Policy amendments.
• Noted that Company 10 (Bel Alton) had not yet submitted financials and may not receive its distribution if not completed.