Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 9/15/2026
Item Status: New
From: Roger H. Rendleman, County Administrator
Submitted by: Anu Gary, Administrative Services Manager
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Notification to ADECA - Recognition of Disaster & Victim Services and Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc. as Search and Rescue Units in Baldwin County, Alabama, Under Alabama Code Section 45-2-142.01
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Based on the recommendation of the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency Director and at the request of Disaster & Victim Services, and Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc., the Baldwin County Commission recognizes Disaster & Victim Services and Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc. as duly organized and established search and rescue units, operated as a public service for the benefit of the citizens of Baldwin County, Alabama.
Furthermore, the Baldwin County Commission recognizes Disaster & Victim Services and Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc. as voluntary nonprofit quasi-public entities under Alabama Code Section 45-2-142.01, rendering both entities eligible to receive and utilize public funds or property appropriated by the County.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Disaster & Victim Services (DVS) and Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc.(Southern Star) are requesting the County Commission to formally recognize the organizations under Alabama Code Section 45-2-142.01 in order for DVS and Southern Star to be eligible to purchase surplus equipment from the State of Alabama during Fiscal Year 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027).
ADECA requires quasi-public agencies (volunteer fire departments and rescue squads) to submit a signed letter from the county commission, city council, or affiliated emergency association, stating what type of public funding the organization receives on an annual basis and whether the organization is part of the city/county’s public safety program.
The Baldwin County EMA Director has reviewed the requests submitted by DVS and Southern Star and concurs with the requests for both entities to be recognized as duly organized and established search and rescue units, operating as a public service for the benefit of the citizens of Baldwin County, Alabama.
Previous Commission action/date:
05/05/2026 - BCC recognized Disaster & Victim Services as a Search and Rescue Unit in Baldwin County, Alabama, under Alabama Code Section 45-2-142.01 for FY 2026 ADECA surplus equipment eligibility.
04/21/2026 - BCC recognized Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc. as a Search and Rescue Unit in Baldwin County, Alabama, under Alabama Code Section 45-2-142.01 for FY 2026 ADECA surplus equipment eligibility.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Send correspondence to:
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
ATTN: The Honorable Kenneth W. Boswell, Director
Post Office Box 5690
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690
cc: Baldwin County Fire Chiefs’ Association
Chief Tony Lovell, President - rlovell@cityofloxley.com
Alabama Association of Rescue Squads (AARS)
Chauncey Wood, President - president@alars.org
Matthew Knight, Executive Secretary Treasurer - sectreas@alars.org
Disaster & Victim Services
Tony Dickey, Founder/CEO - tonydickeydvs@gmail.com
Southern Star Search & Rescue, Inc.
Ray Mooney, Director of Operations - ray@mooney.net
Additional instructions/notes: N/A