Rescue Squad Tax Increase
Leonardtown, Hollywood Make Requests
At the December 11th meeting of the Emergency Services Board, the Leonardtown and Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squads requested a tax increase to help cover rising costs and needed improvements. The Rescue Tax is charged at a rate per $100 of assessed value of all real and personal property in each election district, and funds the rescue squad in that respective district. Both requested increases have received support from the St. Mary’s Ambulance & Rescue Squad Association and the Emergency Services Board. Next, the tax increases will be reviewed and decided upon by the County Commissioners.
Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad requested an increase from .009 cents to .013 cents. Danny Bowles, President of Leonardtown VRS, said expenses are increasing due to inflation and the request is an attempt to get ahead of what could become a larger problem in the future. Supporting documents show the intention to purchase a new ambulance at a cost of $305K in 2025. The expense is a significant portion of the expected revenues of $392K, leaving the group little leftover to pay operating expenses. Total calls in the Leonardtown service area (3rd District) have increased by an estimate of 200 per year for the last several years. At least 900 calls are outside of the 3rd District, and nearly 550 or more calls are missed each year out of a total of 3000 calls or more. This highlights an increasing demand being served with limited resources.
Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad requested an increase from .014 cents to .03 cents, the maximum allowed. Barbare Wible, President of the Hollywood VRS, told the Emergency Services Board the request is driven by the need for modernized and expanded space. Wible said their original building is more than 40 years old, and the addition added in 2002 is poorly constructed and deteriorating. The roof is original and leaks, the stairs to sleeping quarters are failing, and there are no ADA accessible restrooms. Originally, the VRS intended to move but sold the new property back to the County after getting an estimate of $4.2M to construct a new facility. Instead, the group is pursuing a $2.5M bank loan to combine with fund balance and other sources to finance a $3.7M renovation of their current home.
Supporting documents, provided by Wible, tell the story. Hollywood is answering nearly 1500 calls within their area (6th District), well over 2000 outside their district, and miss about 440 calls each year. The additional need for service comes primarily from the Wildewood/California area as residential and commercial development increases. As with Leonardtown, increasing demands continue to stretch and strain finite resources.
The Emergency Services Board also touched on two other topics during the meeting. No updates have been received regarding the Board’s suggestion to the County Commissioners for a property tax credit for Fire and EMS volunteers. At their October meeting, the Board submitted their request along with letters of support from the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and the Calvert County Volunteer Fire, Rescue, & EMS Association. Along with other benefits, the property tax credit is cited as a recruiting tool, and Calvert County provides up to $2,500 to eligible volunteers.
Jennifer Utz, Director of Emergency Services, also informed the Board of the County Commissioner’s approval of a wage increase for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) starting on January 1st. Assistant Chief of Career EMS will see an increase of $6.50/hour; EMT’s $2.75/hour; Paramedics and Paramedic Supervisors $2.20/hour; for a total cost of $982K through the end of FY25. The new rates are more competitive with Calvert and Charles Counties, and were needed to help fill more than 40 currently vacant positions for paid EMS providers.
