$37,950 granted to 9 local non-profit organizations for safety projects
On May 8, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program awarded $37,950 in grants supporting community safety projects proposed by 9 nonprofit organizations, including the Columbia Falls Police Department (CFPD) and Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Department (HHVFD).
CFPD requested assistance in augmenting its emergency response plan equipment via crisis response kits and CLAW tactical tools for each squad car. Chief Chad Stephens told the Roundup for Safety Board that his department spends considerable time training for emergencies potentially involving the use of breaching tools, i.e., a CLAW. “A CLAW can be used as a ram, break locks, force doors open, help an officer get into a wrecked car – the uses are really limitless, and it will be useful in everyday situations and crises, too,” Stephens asserted. The Board granted the CFPD’s $8,915 request in full.
HHVFD approached the Roundup for Safety Board for help replacing fire truck hoses. Jared Lako, Fire Chief, shared that the volunteer group is diligent in the care of its equipment, always scrubbing and drying hoses after use. “However,” Lako continued, “these hoses are over 20 years old, and when they whip under pressure, sometimes they break, which is a safety hazard in and of itself, in addition to the obvious problem of attempting to fight a fire with a broken hose.” The Board awarded HHVFD $8,000 towards the purchase of new hose.
May grantees also include:
- Kootenai Rapids/Lincoln County Youth Soccer Association – AED — $1,500
- Our Savior’s Lutheran Church – lift repair – $3,000
- DREAM Adaptive Recreation – AED, lift – $6,285
- Montana Kayak Academy – life jackets and helmets – $1,000
- Camas Day School – fence – $3,750
- Whitefish Legacy Partners – trail safety work – $4,000
- Gateway to Glacier Trails – signage, PPE – $1,500
Roundup for Safety funding comes from participating Flathead Electric Cooperative members who allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The program costs each member about $6 per year and has provided over $5 million in funding since 1997. To learn more, please visit Roundup for Safety – Flathead Electric Cooperative.
Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Co-op members who round up their electric bills to the next dollar. This money is managed by an independent board and goes into a fund for community safety projects. If your nonprofit is interested in applying for community safety funds, visit our Roundup for Safety page or call the Roundup for Safety Board Liaison:
Dillon Tabish
Communications & Marketing Supervisor
