From the office of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski:
U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulskiand Ben Cardin(both D-Md.) today announced a $3,599,000 loan from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program to expand and renovate the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company.
“I’m on the side of first responders. I believe if you are willing to put your life on the line every day, you should never feel short-changed by your government,”Senator Mikulski said. “I’m proud that these federal dollars will help the Kingsville VFD expand and renovate to help them better serve their community.”
“This grant is provides support for the Kingsville VFD so it can be meet the unique challenges that face rural first responders,” saidSenator Cardin. “This federal funding greatly increases the ability of the Kingsville VFD to better serve and protect the community, including providing emergency shelter for the community if any man made or natural disaster should occur. ”
The Kingsville VFD will use this loan to update outdated mechanical and electrical systems, replace the deteriorating roof and increase living and classroom facilities. At this time, they are unable to provide adequate housing and shelter for the community during man-made or natural disasters.
The Rural Development grant program was created to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The program helps support essential services and infrastructure improvements, and promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools.
As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for volunteer firefighters through fire grants program. In the past, Kingsville has received two grants totaling $340,000 to purchase a new fire engine as well as new turn out gear. Baltimore County Fire Departments have been awarded more than $9 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
If this is such a critical need, why didn’t the local community or county fund this project? Once again, the federal government does not belong in this arena.
The local fire department should be able to depend on local support and not be required to go begging to the federal government.
Did you notice the word “Volunteer” was used? I’m saying I agree with you – why aren’t they raising the money locally for their volunteer organization… and if it’s that bad, why didn’t they do it earlier or more consistently over the years instead of waiting for it to fall apart?
Sir, your rit it is a volunteer organization, hence saving taxpayers millions of dollars. They have been fundraising for years, but please feel free to make a donate. The station has sustained some water damage over the years and the equipment bays are not large enough to house all equipment.
The is not begging the federal government for a handout this is applying for and receive a loan through a governement program that is their for that purpose and the money needs to be paid back. At the local level Baltimore county doesn’t have the funds to support such a project and the states emergency services budget has been raided for other purposes by the governor.
They need a whole new building, brand new and somewhere else.
I’m not a Fire Fighter, but looking at their website they could also use another modern day Ambulance, and perhaps a new engine.
Their equipment roster seems awfully small for the service area they respond to.
Lol, other property locations were explored but not was workable in the area. The station has an ambulance that is basically brand new so I’m not sure why you think they need a new one. Also, they have more equipment then the surrounding companies in Baltimore county both career in volunteer due to their specailry pieces the tanker, rescue squad and swift water team. They are more tha equipped to handle their area of service and assist other stations such as Joppa, White Marsh, Perry Hall, and Long Green. Additonally due to the volume of stations in Baltimore county 1 ambulance to standard for most stations except those in really busy areas like Towson, Dundalk, Middle River, etc.
Real swell of these two chumps to weigh in. How about they reach in their own wallets and make a donation!? Local cash for local solutions to solve local problems – two big spenders who love the feel of OUR wallets. Will MD voters ever get rid of this drift wood?
Because I live in Bel Air with my own issues with our Volunteer Fire Company. And let me reiterate… Bel Air is not a dinky little town anymore. My hometown had a population of 15,000 and we had a Municipal Fire Department. Paid for with tax payer dollars. These things are expensive. Either be all volunteer and get your resources where you can or become a municipal entity and derive your resources from the community you serve through taxes.
To the author, just wanted to let you know it it KVF Company, not department.
And to others, they have done fundraising for years but there is only so much you can get from the local community. Just because you aren’t aware doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. There are rules in the BCVFA about fundraising in other communities.
Congrats Kingsville, you deserve it. Just name it Joppa House 4