Each month, Flathead Electric Co-op's Roundup for Safety program helps to fund community safety projects in members' communities. Read about June 2023's grants here.
At a June 8 meeting, the Roundup for Safety Board of Directors awarded $41,715 to support area nonprofit community safety projects. North Valley Search and Rescue (NVSAR) received $10,000 towards the purchase of multi-purpose helmets with integrated communication headsets.
Buck Wetzel presented on behalf of NVSAR and explained that these helmets allow communication when NVSAR is using loud equipment, such as jet boats and side-by-sides, in its search and rescue activities. In addition to being able to hear each other, NVSAR members will be able to listen in on other radio traffic as they coordinate search and rescue efforts. Typically, multiple agencies are involved in missions. NVSAR is dispatched by 9-1-1 and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
Wetzel noted, “These headsets are also used by Two Bear Air Rescue and the Sheriff, which makes working together more efficient. It helps us find the people we’re looking for faster when everyone on the team already knows how to use the headset and no one has to stop a boat or a side-by-side to hear what the other person is saying.”
NVSAR serves the northern Flathead Valley west of the Whitefish Divide, north to Glacier National Park, east to the Glacier County line near Marias Pass, and south to the Great Bear Wilderness, Hungry Horse Reservoir and Jewel Basin areas. Founded in 1970, NVSAR volunteers typically donate over 2,200 hours of their collective time to search and rescue missions each year, and another 4,000 hours plus training.
At the June 8 meeting, community safety grants were also awarded to:
- Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation – bear spray storage, first aid, InReach – $2,065
- Montana Kayak Academy – first aid and CPR training – $600
- Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp – climbing safety equipment – $2,100
- Whitefish Police Department – multi launcher foam bullet safety tool – $5,000
- Samaritan House – automatic locking door with buzzer entry – $7,800
- DREAM Adaptive – safety helmets – $1,700
- Flathead Rivers Alliance – InReach communication devices – $2,450
- Fair Mont Egan School – fire door, security cameras – $10,000
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.
The Roundup for Safety Board will consider July applications through June 30 and vote on them at its July 13 meeting. If your nonprofit is interested in applying for community safety funds, visit our Roundup for Safety page or call the Roundup for Safety Board Liason:
