Today, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced $400,000 of federal CARES Act funding to support county volunteer fire companies. The county is establishing a new grant program designed to help volunteer fire companies whose operations have been impacted by COVID-related restrictions.
“Anne Arundel Volunteer Fire Companies are an important part of our Fire Department and play a critical role in protecting our communities,” said County Executive Pittman. “Their fundraising may have suffered during this pandemic, but they continue to serve. We are pleased to lend them a helping hand so they can keep saving lives.”
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department is a combination department with over 330 active
volunteer riding members across 15 volunteer companies. This grant will assist the volunteer companies that depend on fundraising and hall rentals to support their mission. COVID-19 has prohibited many of these fundraising activities from occurring. Because of these COVID related economic impacts, some volunteer fire companies are struggling to make mortgage payments and payments on vehicle and apparatus purchases.
“I would like to thank County Executive Pittman for continuing to invest in public safety in our county” said Fire Chief Trisha Wolford. “This grant money helps relieve the financial pressures facing the volunteer corporations while allowing us to maintain our high level of service and continue to serve our communities.”
“We welcome the support of County Executive Pittman and Fire Chief Wolford by making CARES funding available to the volunteer fire companies,” said Bob Rose, President of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association. “The recognition of the importance of providing funding support to volunteer fire service operations is greatly appreciated, as many of our normal fundraising activities have been curtailed.”
Since March 2020, volunteer companies have had to cancel carnivals, food truck festivals, bingo nights, Christmas tree sales, pit beef sales, and photography drives. Additionally, due to capacity restrictions, volunteer-owned stations have been unable to rent out their halls. The total funding for this initiative is $405,305.86. The following companies are eligible for grants based upon the size of each company and its submitted needs:
- Arnold Volunteer Fire Department, $22,830.00
- Arundel Volunteer Fire Department, $14,912.00
- Deale Volunteer Fire Department, $20,878.66
- Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company, $20,317.09
- Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Company, $199,400.00
- Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company, $11,135.00
- Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department, $343.00
- Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, $17,506.46
- Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department, $58,441.54
- Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Company, $39,542.11
