MEMORANDUM

TO: Maryland Volunteer Fire Departments, Rescue Squads and Emergency Medical
Services

FROM: Russell J. Strickland, Executive Director

SUBJECT: Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs, and Families (RELIEF) Act of 2021 – Recovery Now Fund – Grants to Volunteer Fire

Departments and Rescue Squads

DATE: March 10, 2021

It is my pleasure to inform you that Governor Larry Hogan has signed into law Senate Bill 496 (Chapter 39) the Relief Fund Act of 2021. The Act was enacted through a bi-partisan effort of the Maryland General Assembly to help assist the business community, non-profit organizations and others who suffered significant financial hardships as a result of COVID-19 during the past year.

Specifically, the bill contains $4,000,000 in funding to support the Maryland Volunteer Fire Departments, Rescue Squads and Emergency Medical Service community. The funds have been provided to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in conjunction with the Maryland Military Department (MMD) for dissemination to the volunteer fire, rescue and EMS service throughout the State.

The Act authorizes MEMA and the MMD:

(5) (i) For purposes of the amount authorized under paragraph (3) of this subsection for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (D50H01.06), the Agency shall distribute the amount authorized as grants to volunteer fire departments and rescue squads that have lost revenue due to COVID–19.

(ii) An applicant for a grant authorized under this paragraph may not have received other relief from sources such as county, federal, or other State aid.

(iii) The Maryland Emergency Management Agency shall advertise the grants authorized under this paragraph to all volunteer stations in the State.

As part of the process, a grant application is provided. As noted in the application, fire and EMS departments are requested to submit, with the application, verified revenue estimates (Form 990) for the fiscal years 2015 through 2020. Additionally, please note if the company/department did receive any financial relief from sources such as a county, federal or state government to off-set financial losses due to the pandemic. The loss of revenue must have occurred between January 1, 2020 and date of application.

Each qualified applicant will receive no less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) to support the respective needs of the company/department due to lost revenues.

Interested and qualified departments must submit a grant application with supporting documentation to MEMA not later than April 23, 2021 by email at VFDfund.support@maryland.gov. All applications will be reviewed and departments shall be
notified within 45 days of the amount of funding support they shall receive. All funds shall be distributed by June 15, 2021.
For questions regarding the process and/or the purpose of the funds to be provided, contact Robert B. Thomas, Jr., Director of Mission Support for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency at robert.thomasjr@maryland.gov.

RJS/RBT:
Attachment: VFDRS Recovery Now Fund Application 03082021
cc: Maryland State Firemen’s Association
Maryland State Fire Chief’s Association
Appointed Local Emergency Management Directors