Bigfork Fire Department receives $8,000 Roundup for Safety grant
Bigfork Fire Department. (Photo courtesy of Bigfork Fire Department)
On June 13, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program approved $18,500 in grants supporting community safety projects proposed by local nonprofits. Friends of the Bigfork Fire Department requested funding for swift water and rope rescue equipment. The Bigfork Fire Department is expanding its ability to respond to water emergencies and has worked with the Flathead County Sherriff’s Department and local Search & Rescue teams to coordinate those future efforts.
Bigfork Fire Chief Jeremy Patton noted, “Bigfork Fire Department responds to the Bigfork Fire District and provides mutual aid to other districts in Flathead and Lake Counties. Some rescue calls are in a swift water environment. Sometimes those rescues occur in largely inaccessible areas and ropes are required. For the safety of the public and of the responders, this equipment is essential. Responders can handle calls for service of this type safely and more efficiently.”
The Roundup for Safety Board noted Friends of Bigfork Fire’s matching funds to provide the department with the training necessary to safely and effectively deploy the new equipment. The Board awarded $8,000 of the $12,000 request.
June grantees also include: St. Matthews Catholic School – safety cameras -- $1,500; Kalispell Police Department – crowd safety equipment -- $2,500; ImagineIF Library Foundation – ADA doors -- $5,000; and Glacier Church – AED -- $1,500.
Roundup for Safety funding comes from participating Flathead Electric Cooperatives members who allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The program costs each member about $6 per year.