Ch. 430                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1)     equipment, including elevated equipment, pumpers, tankers, ladder
trucks, ambulances, rescue vehicles, or other large equipment used for fire fighting
and emergency services;

(2)     communications equipment;

(3)     protective equipment, including helmets, turnout coats and pants,
boots, eyeshields, gloves, and self-contained respiratory protection units;

(4)     any other equipment necessary to carry out the ordinary functions of
supporting fire fighting and rescue activities; or

(5)     facilities used to house fire fighting equipment, ambulances, and
rescue vehicles.

[(f)] (C) (1) (i) A volunteer company receiving money from the [Account]
FUND shall provide at least a 30% match of the amount of the grant or loan.

(ii) If a volunteer company cannot reasonably provide the required
match before the money is disbursed, the Board of Public Works may waive the
requirement or may allow repayment of the match within a reasonable time not
exceeding 18 months after the purchase, REPLACEMENT, OR IMPROVEMENT of the
equipment or facilities.

(2) (i) Money to provide the required match may include contributions
from local government.

(ii) A local government may not reduce the amount of money that
the volunteer company would otherwise be entitled to receive from the local
government because of State money provided under this section.

[(g)] (D) After a favorable recommendation from the Department, the Board
of Public Works may award a grant, loan, or both from the [Account] FUND to a
volunteer company if:

(1)     (i) an act of God or other unforeseen event substantially impairs
the ability of the volunteer company to provide adequate and safe service; or

(ii) the volunteer company is unable to maintain the minimum
level of performance for adequate and safe service established by standards of the
Association because of a demonstrated lack of financial resources; and

(2)     the Department and the volunteer company have executed an
agreement that:

(i) provides that money will be used as represented to the Board of
Public Works in the request for approval; and

(ii) gives to the State security in the equipment or facilities
purchased with the money and in the proceeds of that equipment or those facilities as
determined by the Board of Public Works to be appropriate and adequate.

[(h)] (E) A grant or loan awarded under this section may not:

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