FEC awards safety grants to nonprofit organizations

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Directors has awarded $44,080 to nine area nonprofits, including Flathead County Search and Rescue Association.

FCSAR President Anthony Palmiotti presented on behalf of the well-known nonprofit, founded in 1950 and one of the oldest SAR organizations in the United States. He noted wryly that the group is receiving an exponentially increasing number of calls to assist in the mountains, on the rivers, and off and on the trails in an area about the size of Connecticut.

“We do get visitors around here in the summertime,” Palmiotti told the Roundup for Safety Board of Directors with a wink.

“The fire department is great, but the fire truck can’t always make it up to Camp Misery,” Palmiotti continued, referring to a trailhead in the Jewel Basin area. “That’s where we come in. Right now, our equipment isn’t keeping up with the volume of calls we’re receiving."

He further relayed that in efforts to inventory and bring all its rescue and medical equipment up to current Best Practices, FCSAR noted a need for two types of rescue equipment to assist in the many low and medium-angle rescues they perform: a vacuum spine board and rescue litter kit. FCSAR was awarded $2,670 in Roundup for Safety funds for these items.

Community safety grants were also awarded to: Serious Juju Skateboards for helmets, and protective gear at $1,800; Friends of Bigfork Fire Department for rescue ropes at $10,000; Libby School District for upgrades to bathroom approach at $4,500; Columbia Falls United Methodist Church for fencing, locks at $10,000; Martin City Rural Fire for turnout gear at $10,000; Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp for AED/CPR/lifeguard training kits at $3,200; Flathead Youth Home for motion lights and cameras at $1,500; and Whitefish Youth Soccer for communication safety technology at $410.

The Roundup for Safety Board will consider May applications through April 30 and vote on them at its May 11 meeting. Those interested in applying for community safety funds, should visit www.flatheadelectric.com/roundup or call Courtney Stone at 406-751-1820.