South Kalispell fire department receives $12,000 Roundup for Safety grant

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program has awarded $46,660 in grants supporting community safety projects proposed by 12 local nonprofit organizations. 

The projects include a rare $12,000 award for the South Kalispell Volunteer Fire Department. The group will replace its damaged extraction equipment, more commonly called the Jaws of Life.

Bill Leininger, Roundup for Safety board president, said the maximum amount a local nonprofit can request from Roundup is $12,000. 

"Very few organizations request this much, as Roundup typically provides seed money for community safety projects," he said. "However, the Board recognizes the critical nature of volunteer first responder groups to the overall safety of our communities and was happy to be able to support this VFD's need for extraction equipment.”

Ron LaTray presented on behalf of the South Kalispell. He informed the Board of the mutual aid agreements in place between the South Kalispell Fire District and the Kalispell, Somers, Lakeside, Smith Valley, West Valley, and Evergreen Fire Districts. 

“Over 20,000 Flathead Valley and Flathead Electric Co-op members may be served with this extraction equipment,” La Tray stated.

The Board expressed gratitude to the Co-op members who voluntarily round up their electric bills each month to fund Roundup’s community safety grants.

In 2024, the Roundup for Safety Board accepted 77 projects and awarded $336,209 in grant funding. Since 1997, Roundup for Safety has supported 1,493 projects via $5,265,134 in donations from Flathead Electric Co-op members.

December grantees also include Community Action Partnership – concrete work for handicap ramp - $4,000; Whitefish Performing Arts Center - hoist system maintenance - $2,500; Bigfork Community United Methodist Church – elevator - $2,000; Whitefish United Methodist Church -- AED refresh with child key - $428; Fellowship Church – AED - $1,500; Whitefish Thrift Haus - AED - $1,500; First Presbyterian Church Kalispell - safety camera - $1,000; Whitefish Legacy Partners - maps, safety signs, trail tools - $3,000 grant; Flathead Food Bank – safety cameras - $8,234; Project Whitefish Kids – baseball safety netting – $5,000; Whitefish Police Department - emergency services drone - $5,498. 

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. 

For more information, visit flatheadelectric.com/our-community/roundup-for-safety/