Commission reviews 15-year fleet plan and approves $19,004.69 supplement to complete ambulance purchase
July 17, 2026 | Montgomery County, Virginia
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Chief Michael (S2) presented a long-range fleet and capital-improvement plan intended to stagger apparatus replacement across a 10–15-year horizon, maintain a reserve fleet, and convert the capital fund into a floating fund to smooth heavy and light replacement years.
Michael said the approach would allow chiefs to plan 4–6 years ahead for apparatus orders and, if carried countywide, could give the commission a systemwide view of where frontline and reserve vehicles should be placed. He noted grant dependency (for example, a FEMA grant previously funded SCBA purchases) could alter timing and that staggering replacements generally reduces large single-year funding spikes.
On SCBA funding, Michael said the commission submitted a little over $1,000,000 in AFG grant requests to replace roughly half the county's SCBA sets; he estimated a full replacement would cost about $2,200,000 and noted the program was highly competitive.
Procurement and budget action: Commissioners discussed a roughly $19,004.69 shortfall on a fully equipped ambulance (including a new cot and loader). A motion was made, seconded and approved to fund the $19,004.69 from the commission's carryover/reserve funds, with the expectation that proceeds from sale of old units would replenish the account. The transcript records the motion and vocal assent but does not record a roll-call vote by name.
Commissioners also discussed compatibility, staggering replacement cycles and possible inclusion of town-owned apparatus in a combined systemwide plan. No other binding capital decisions were taken at the meeting; staff will circulate materials for future CIP deliberations.
Michael said the approach would allow chiefs to plan 4–6 years ahead for apparatus orders and, if carried countywide, could give the commission a systemwide view of where frontline and reserve vehicles should be placed. He noted grant dependency (for example, a FEMA grant previously funded SCBA purchases) could alter timing and that staggering replacements generally reduces large single-year funding spikes.
On SCBA funding, Michael said the commission submitted a little over $1,000,000 in AFG grant requests to replace roughly half the county's SCBA sets; he estimated a full replacement would cost about $2,200,000 and noted the program was highly competitive.
Procurement and budget action: Commissioners discussed a roughly $19,004.69 shortfall on a fully equipped ambulance (including a new cot and loader). A motion was made, seconded and approved to fund the $19,004.69 from the commission's carryover/reserve funds, with the expectation that proceeds from sale of old units would replenish the account. The transcript records the motion and vocal assent but does not record a roll-call vote by name.
Commissioners also discussed compatibility, staggering replacement cycles and possible inclusion of town-owned apparatus in a combined systemwide plan. No other binding capital decisions were taken at the meeting; staff will circulate materials for future CIP deliberations.
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