At a September 11 meeting, the Roundup for Safety Board of Directors awarded $28,442 to support four nonprofit life safety projects. Notably, Rollins Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) received a rare maximum award of $12,000 towards improving the safety of its new helicopter landing zone.
Rollins VFD serves the west shore of Flathead Lake and provides mutual aid for neighboring communities in Flathead and Lake counties. The group is expanding its fire station, which acts as a centrally located operational base for nearly all West Shore emergencies. Part of the expansion adds a dedicated, lighted landing zone pad for emergency helicopters. Rollins VFD requested assistance in burying nearby power lines to improve safety at the helipad.
The project has been years in the making. Darrah Rogers presented for Rollins VFD, sharing, “For the fire hall expansion, Rollins VFD raised almost $1.5M through 120 private donations. Those funds cover phase one construction costs, including the helicopter landing zone. However, the cost of burying the lines was not included in the original construction budget. Recently, a helicopter industry expert visited the site to assess the designated landing zone and recommended burying the lines for safety. Rollins VFD is asking for assistance to provide a safer landing zone for all emergency helicopters.”
The Roundup for Safety Board of Directors awarded $12,000 – the full amount requested and the maximum amount available to nonprofits each year – to the Rollins VFD life safety project.
At the meeting, community life safety grants were also awarded to:
- Flathead Valley Hockey Association – bleachers – $3,042
- West Valley School District – safety cameras – $10,000
- ACES Bigfork – AED & first aid kits – $3,400
Roundup for Safety life 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.
