Commissioners approve cancer-screening tests and Stop the Bleed grant for county firefighters

County officials told the Board the Department of Fire & EMS will test 228 uniformed employees for multiple cancers after a reduced state grant award left a shortfall; the board approved a $24,001 transfer to fill the gap and later approved a single-source purchase of multi-cancer screening kits.

"This $24,000 will fill the gap between the state grant and the rest of the employees," said the DFEMS presenter, explaining the transfer is drawn from uncommitted annual physical funding so all 228 uniformed personnel can be tested this fiscal year.

Procurement staff said the county will purchase screening kits from 20/20 Gene Systems for $62,700; the purchase is budgeted in FY26 and is expected to be about 97% reimbursed by the Maryland firefighter screening grant.

"Firefighters face elevated risk due to occupational hazards, and the cancer rate of firefighters overall in The United States is about 2 to 3 times," DFEMS said, urging early detection to improve outcomes.

The board also voted to authorize submission of a $2,500 Stop the Bleed grant that requires no county match; staff described plans to place supplies in the building’s AED cabinets and expand training for volunteers, schools and businesses.

All motions on the transfer, the procurement and the Stop the Bleed application were moved, seconded and approved during the session.