Just over one year ago the Mechanicsville VFD applied for a energy resiliency grant thru the Maryland Energy Administration.
The purpose of this grant was to receive funding for a new, larger generator for the new/remodeled fire station.

The Department was fortunate enough to be selected to receive a grant for $50,000 towards the cost of a new Kohler 500KW generator which will fully power the fire station ensuring our capabilities to continue to serve our community during power outages and severe weather. This will also give us the capability to serve as an emergency shelter at the request of the County.

Below is a summary of the grant program.

The Maryland Energy Resiliency Grant Program (“Grant Program”, formerly known as the “Fuel Up program”) is administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) pursuant to its responsibilities and authority under Md. State Government Code Ann.

For volunteer firehouses, the Grant Program’s intention is to provide resiliency benefits to local populations. The Grant Program aims to achieve these goals by reducing the financial investment required by volunteer fire houses in order to become more energy resilient.

The Maryland Energy Administration anticipates awarding grants of up to $50,000 per project to volunteer firehouses. Grant funds may be used to offset 70% of the total cost of the planning, design, wiring and installation of backup power generation for service stations and volunteer firehouses in Maryland. Funds may also be used to offset costs related to the purchase or pre-wire of back-up power generation (portable generators, fixed generators, or in-place batteries) at volunteer firehouses. Funds cannot be used to offset costs related to the purchase of fuel. Only one award will be made per service station/volunteer firehouse location

Special thanks to Mike Jones with the Maryland Energy Administration for his assistance during our application process.

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