County to fund $13,744 toward Damascus Volunteer Fire Department extrication tools

Washington County supervisors approved a county contribution of $13,744 to help the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department replace aging extrication tools that staff said are obsolete and lack replacement parts.

Ms. Barber explained the department’s current tools date from 1985 and are no longer effective on modern vehicle metals; the total replacement system cost was discussed in the packet and the department expects to combine town funds, grant awards and the county portion to meet the purchase price. Board members noted the county and town will both contribute and discussed equipment placement among agencies to maintain countywide coverage.

A supervisor moved that the county’s share be paid from contingency; the motion was seconded and approved by the board. Ms. Barber confirmed other small grant applications are pending but that this item was one of the larger immediate requests for extrication capability in the county’s southern service area.

County staff noted the contingency balance before and after approval; supervisors directed staff to record the payment and coordinate with Damascus VFD on delivery and training.