Commissioners approve ARPA funds to OPVFD

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners continued their dispensing of American Rescue Plan funds to rectify inadequate EMS service countywide by awarding $82,300 to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday.

The OPVFD requested the funds to purchase new equipment for a new engine it just ordered, due to arrive in early 2025. The engine will be staffed with a paramedic and two firefighters and will respond to “Delta and Echo calls,” or life-threatening emergencies that include chest pains, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, seizures and trapped individuals in sinking vehicles, according to a memo from OPVFD Chief Steve Grunewald.

Grunwald added in his memo that the equipment is required by both Worcester County and the National Fire Protection Association.

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked for clarification on how this fits the criteria the county uses in awarding ARPA funds in ways that enhance EMS.

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said that these engines offer basic life support.

Still unsure after the explanation, Commissioner Caryn Abbott said she didn’t see anything in the invoice related to advanced life support or basic life support.

“I just see fire equipment,” she said. “If we’re saying this is going to be a paramedic fire apparatus, I don’t see where they’ve out anything into the EMS side of it.”

Ultimately, the vote was unanimous.

So far, the commissioners have approved rescue plan requests to Ocean City EMS for medical devices, Ocean Pines EMS for heart monitors, Showell Volunteer Fire Company for a new pumper engine, Girdletree Fire Company for SCBA equipment, Bishopville for an ambulance, Pocomoke Fire Company for a utility truck, Pocomoke e EMS for an ambulance, Newark Fire Company for an ambulance, Stockton Fire Company for a new pumper engine and Berlin Fire/EMS for an ambulance, rescue rope and electrical vehicle firefighting equipment.