Four volunteer fire departments in Charles County—Hughesville, Dentsville, Bryans Road, and Benedict—received a combined $124,174 in federal funding to purchase new gear washers and dryers, part of a larger $6.9 million allocation for Maryland firefighters announced December 18, 2025, by the state’s congressional delegation.
The grant targets equipment to clean turnout gear, removing carcinogens and contaminants that firefighters encounter on calls. Proper cleaning extends gear lifespan and reduces health risks, including cancer linked to repeated exposure.
“We can always count on Maryland’s firefighters and first responders to run towards danger to save others in an emergency,” the lawmakers said. “This federal funding will equip our local fire departments with new resources to support them in their life-saving work, to better protect both themselves and our communities.”
These Charles County departments serve growing communities along routes like Maryland 5 and 301, responding to structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies in areas from Waldorf south to the Patuxent River. Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad covers a broad district including rural farmland and residential developments. Dentsville Volunteer EMS, Fire and Auxiliary focuses on emergency medical services alongside fire suppression. Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad handles calls near Indian Head Highway, while Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad protects southeastern Charles County near the Patuxent bridge to Calvert.
Joint awards like this allow smaller volunteer companies to pool resources for shared purchases, ensuring standardized equipment across mutual aid partners. Departments often respond together under Charles County’s combined fire and EMS system, where volunteers augment career staff.
The funding comes through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. AFG supports equipment, training, and modifications to enhance safety and operations. Applications require detailed justifications showing need and community impact.
Firefighter cancer rates have risen, prompting emphasis on decontamination. Studies by the National Fire Protection Association and others link contaminants on gear to increased risks. Industrial washers and dryers extract soot, chemicals, and particulates without damaging protective fabrics, following NFPA 1851 standards for gear maintenance.
Southern Maryland departments have pursued similar grants in recent years. For instance, multiple Charles County companies received funding in 2024 for turnout gear replacement. Volunteer recruitment remains a challenge statewide, with gear cleaning seen as a way to improve retention by prioritizing health.
The broader Maryland allocation totaled $6,966,579, with other awards for training, breathing apparatus, and recruitment in regions like Baltimore and the Eastern Shore. A separate statewide grant supports smoke alarm installations.
Congress reauthorized AFG, SAFER for staffing, and Fire Prevention and Safety programs through 2028 via the Fire Grants and Safety Act signed in 2024. These competitive grants require no local match in many cases, easing burdens on volunteer-heavy areas.
In Charles County, volunteer companies operate under the Charles County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, coordinating training and resources. Residents in districts like Hughesville rely on these stations for rapid response, often faster than distant career units.
Gear washers represent practical upgrades, allowing on-site cleaning instead of sending items out, reducing downtime. Each machine handles multiple sets, supporting shift changes and post-incident decontamination.