508 Funding

[iresq]

I am looking for information on 508 funding. Is this a State program (MD) or Federal. If your jurisdication recieves it, who controls it?



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Negative, I am a meat popsicle.

[FFShooty]

State of Maryland 508 Funding for Fire and Ambulance Departments is administered locally by the County in which the Department serves. The funding is passed down to the Counties from the State level. I'm unsure as to how the allottements are calculated by county. The Counties receive one lump sum payment and quarterly payments are disbursed to the local departments.

Be Safe.

[pgvolunteer]

The 508 program is a state program in Maryland. It takes a portion of the vehicle registration fee and allocates it to various fire/EMS services in the State such as individual departments, MIEMSS, MFRI, etc. Many departments use these funds for purchasing fire apparatus, equipment, training and capital improvements. With the decreasing availability of other funding sources in past years, specifically non-profit casino gaming that ended a few years ago and general donations, 508 funds are increasingly important to local departments.

Of note is that the State Legislature has a bill pending, HB 1148 that proposes a slight increase in 508 funding, $3 per vehicle to be exact. This increase is well overdue and very needed. The problem other than having our representatives understand it importance is the ultimatum issued by Governor Glendening if this bill is not passed.

If HB 1148 is not passed Gov. Glendening will decrease 508 funds by 28%. This would result in deceases to County funding of significant and irreparable amounts. For instance, PG County would be hit with a 315,000 decrease itself.

THEREFORE, it is imperative that everyone in Maryland contact their representatives in support of HB 1148 immediately! Call, write, email, anything...