$150k headed to Berlin Fire Company for new equipment/ambulance, push to increase public safety

BERLIN, Md.- Budget cuts, increased costs, and recruitment have made maintaining a level of excellent service a challenge for the Berlin Fire Company. “We run 2,000 EMS calls and about 400 fire calls a year,” President David Fitzgerald said.

That will soon change as some help is on the way. “We’re very fortunate that the Worcester County Commissioners have awarded grant funds through the American Rescue Plan Act for both the Berlin Fire Company and our EMS department,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald says the $150,000 will be split between fire and EMS. $75,000 will go towards a deposit for a new ambulance. “We replace our ambulances every 10 years. We operate three of them because our call volume has increased so much,” Fitzgerald said.

The other half of funds will go to purchase all new rope rescue equipment. It’s something the department tells us will be a necessity to increase their level of operations. “Our fire chief has identified a certain piece of equipment that will go on our fire engines and will help us put out fires for battery or electric operated vehicles,” Fitzgerald said.

Although this brings them some relief, Fitzgerald says more will still need to be done to meet the growing demand. “We’re looking at the replacement of two fire engines and a rescue truck. That’s going to be $2.5 Million, so there’s always needs.”

Despite that, Fitzgerald says the move shows that the county sees public safety as an investment for residents and the greater community. “It’s all a part public safety. It’s all about the safety of our volunteers. We also have career staff so it’s about their safety as well. It’s about public safety,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald also tells 47 ABC the down payment that will be made on that ambulance is just a fraction of the total price tag which is over $400,000.

He says they’re hoping the town will provide additional capital funding for EMS to assist.