HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted at its last meeting to seek federal funding to hire 24 additional firefighters, saying the county continues to face staffing shortages despite recent additions to its career ranks.
To that end, commissioners unanimously approved a request from the Division of Emergency Services to apply for a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for 24 full-time firefighter positions and accept the funding if awarded.
Director of Emergency Services R. David Hays told commissioners the county has expanded staffing in recent years but still struggles to place enough firefighters on apparatus responding to calls.
“Over the previous five years, the DES has continued to place additional full-time firefighters in multiple fire stations throughout Washington County,” Hays said. “While the addition of these firefighters has increased the number of trained and certified firefighters on duty each day, there are still many instances where apparatus and/or departments struggle to get adequate firefighters on apparatus for call responses.”
Hays said the additional positions would allow the county to continue placing firefighters strategically throughout the county.
“By authorizing the Division to hire 24 additional firefighters, it would enable DES to continually and strategically place firefighters in additional fire stations throughout the county,” Hays said.
The request comes on a tight timeline. Hays said county officials learned only a few weeks ago that the fiscal 2026 SAFER grant opportunity had opened and that applications are due June 22.
“We just received notification about three weeks ago that the fiscal 2026 FEMA SAFER grant opportunity had opened … until June 22,” Hays said. “So, we’re in a short window to actually seek your approval to apply.”
The SAFER program is administered by FEMA and is intended to help local fire departments increase staffing levels and improve emergency response capabilities. County officials said the proposed positions would build on previous efforts to expand career staffing at stations throughout Washington County.
Following a brief discussion, commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize the application and acceptance of funding if the county is selected for an award.
Fort Ritchie sewer project advances
The commissioners also voted to pursue grant funding for a sewer infrastructure project at Fort Ritchie, while also receiving updated recommendations for $1.3 million in community organization funding.
In a 5-0 vote, the commissioners authorized county staff to pursue Appalachian Regional Commission funding for a sewer infrastructure project at Fort Ritchie. The county is seeking $405,000 in grant funding and would provide a matching contribution from the sewer fund.
David A. Mason, interim director of Environmental Management, said the total project is expected to cost between $809,000 and $820,000. The request before the board was amended to reflect the Tri-County Council review process that must occur before a full application can move forward.
“As part of the MOU that was approved at the last meeting, it is required that the property owner transfer the infrastructure and the easement to the county, and that will be brought back before the board on June 30,” Mason said.
A commissioner asked whether the county owned the sewer line involved in the project. Mason said ownership would transfer to the county before any grant agreements or contracts are executed.
“So before any contracts would be signed and before the grant would be applied for, we will own the property as of June 30,” Mason said.
Updates on community funding recommendations
County officials released updated recommendations for fiscal 2027 community organization funding totaling $1.3 million. The recommendations will support organizations across multiple service categories, including arts and culture, domestic violence prevention, public health, youth services and homelessness programs.
Maria Kramer, director of the Office of Grant Management, said demand for funding far exceeded available resources.
“We had over $3 million plus, maybe even $3.5 million worth of asks,” Kramer said. “The asks are incredibly large for the amount of money that is available to be funded.”
Kramer said commissioners increased the available funding pool to $1.3 million this year in an effort to support additional organizations. Funding will be distributed quarterly.
MLK Community Center renovation contract
Commissioners approved a contract award for renovations at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. The project carries a contract value of $2.8 million.
The renovation will upgrade common-use areas on three floors of the former school building, which houses Head Start and Children in Need programs. Planned improvements include a new gymnasium floor, elevator installation, restroom renovations, HVAC upgrades, fire protection improvements, roof work, windows and security enhancements.
County officials also approved a budget adjustment to support construction and inspection costs associated with roof replacement work included in the project.
