Grant-in-aid cuts hit Rehoboth fire department

Rehoboth Beach’s volunteer firefighters are facing an uncertain financial future - a future that is more cloudy than ever after state legislators cut 20 percent of grant-in-aid funding.

These grants are state appropriations to nonprofits that provide services to citizens. During the standoff over the budget, legislators discussed possibly cutting grant-in-aid altogether to plug a $400 million shortfall. Eventually, they agreed to a 20 percent cut.

Warren Jones, spokesman for the company, said the cut will cost the department more than $27,000 in grants alone. The state also cut the matching funds for fire prevention programs. The Rehoboth company had a $13,000 fire prevention program, with the department paying half and the state paying half.

“That’s another $7,500 we won’t be getting,” Jones said.  

These cuts were a kick to the gut for the company, which was already facing financial difficulties. Jones said the company’s budget is currently $84,000 in the hole, mainly due to having to finish the new Station 2 on Route 1.

The $4 million Station 2 was rushed into construction, fast-tracked in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Jones told the Rehoboth commissioners in April. Jones said at that time, had the storm scored a direct hit on Rehoboth, Station 1 in downtown Rehoboth could have been wiped out, leaving no place to store equipment. The new Station 2 was conceived as a place that could act as a command center for state and federal personnel in the event of a big storm.

“We had to take this expense and get this thing over with,” Jones said. “All this other stuff is just piling on top.”

In addition, $1 million of the company’s $2.5 million budget goes to full-time personnel costs. Jones has said because more people stay in Rehoboth and the surrounding area year-round, the department has had to keep two full-time ambulance crews and a volunteer ambulance crew on call at all times, in addition to part-time firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

“We employ 15 full-time staff, one of which is a supervisor.  We also employ a number of part-timers who cover for our full time when they are off for vacations and sick leave.  The part timers also help us with special events when another ambulance crew is needed.  The cost for all the staff covers employee salaries, taxes, benefits, uniforms, gear and training,” Jones said.

With the cuts to grant-in-aid and the fire prevention program, Jones said the company’s overall deficit is $118,000.

“We either don’t buy things, or we take money out of the savings. What other choices do we have?” Jones said.

The company is also planning to begin replacing its vehicle fleet. All of the company’s four fire apparatus are over 20 years old, Jones said. What money the company does have is tied up in capital investments to keep emergency equipment on the road, he said.

“How long can you wait?” Jones asked. “Our rescue was out of service for a month last year because the cab mounts were out of service. Couldn’t find parts for it. It had to be specially made. Our tanker was also out of service for a month because they couldn’t find parts for the rear. Those things add up.”

Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, said he was hopeful grant-in-aid funding could be restored the next budget cycle. He said it was disappointing to have to make the cuts, but considering the state’s fiscal challenges, 20 percent was the most minimal amount possible. Lopez said the cut will not put services like fire departments in jeopardy, and that he and his colleagues - Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach and Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton - continue to support fire departments in the Cape Region.

Meanwhile, the company is conducting fundraising to help pay for operational expenses. Company Treasurer Ted Doyle said, “We’re just hoping that our fund drive brings in a bit more.”

In addition, Jones asked the Rehoboth commissioners to craft an ordinance that would set aside a portion of building permit fees for the fire company. This, he said, would give the company a dedicated source of income. Jones said a permanent fixed income would help in long-term planning for the future.

As of now, the commissioners have not taken up such an ordinance. Jones said he is hopeful the city will do something. And if they don’t? “We hit the savings,” Doyle said. Wanting to avoid that, the company is exploring new avenues of raising money. “We’re looking at a lot of different fundraising things that we haven’t thought about over the years. We’re running a 5K Aug. 20,” Jones said.

Doyle added, “One of the other things we want to do is make the residents aware that we are a volunteer department. There are people in this area that have moved from areas that have career departments. We’re relying on them for our fund drive.”