At a November 13 meeting, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Board of Directors awarded $20,292 in support of seven community life safety projects. Among the recipients, teacher-led West Glacier Elementary School, School District #8, was awarded $6,000 to enhance campus safety through a comprehensive upgrade of doors and locks.
Lindsay Kindred, kindergarten teacher and building maintenance lead, presented the request, sharing, “The West Glacier Elementary project focuses on strengthening school safety by replacing outdated classroom door hardware that no longer meets current fire codes or lockdown protocols.” Kindred continued, “Recommendations from first responders and insights gained during staff safety trainings highlighted the need for improved interior locking mechanisms. Upgrading this hardware will allow teachers and staff to quickly and securely lock classroom and office doors from the inside—an essential capability during emergencies such as lockdowns or fire events.”
Additionally, the grant will help fund the installation of an automated main foyer entry door. The existing entrance lacks modern access controls, which limits both security and accessibility, especially in light of the significant increase in foot traffic around the school in recent years, driven by Glacier National Park’s growing popularity. An upgraded automatic entry system will support improved visitor management, enhance controlled access to the building during school hours, and provide a foundation for future safety system expansions as funding becomes available.
These enhancements directly support life safety by ensuring all doors meet fire-safety standards for rapid egress and equipping staff with reliable tools to respond quickly during emergencies. The project will benefit the entire school community—students, teachers, staff, volunteers, and families—as well as first responders, who will encounter a facility better equipped to align with emergency response protocols.
At the meeting, community life safety grants were also awarded to:
- Rocky Mountain Baptist Church – AED — $1,500
- Whitefish Library Association – fire extinguishers — $492
- Flathead City-County Health Department – critical incident stress management training — $7,500
- Discovery Developmental Center – car seats & safety vests — $2,000
- Friends of the Flathead Snowmobile Association – avalanche safety training programs — $2,500
- Youth With a Mission Montana – bleeding control kits — $400
Roundup for Safety funding comes from Co-op members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next dollar, with the extra cents supporting local life safety projects. The program costs each member about $6 per year, yet it makes a huge impact on our community, providing over $5.5 million in funding since 1997. To learn more, please visit Roundup for Safety – Flathead Electric Cooperative.
