FEC Roundup for Safety awards grants

The Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program has approved $18,500 in grants supporting community safety projects proposed by local nonprofits.  

Friends of the Bigfork Fire Department requested funding for swift water and rope rescue equipment. The Bigfork Fire Department is expanding its ability to respond to water emergencies and has worked with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department and local search and rescue teams to coordinate those future efforts.   

Bigfork Fire Chief Jeremy Patton said the Bigfork Fire Department responds to the Bigfork Fire District and provides mutual aid to other districts in Flathead and Lake counties. 

“Some rescue calls are in a swift water environment,” he said. “Sometimes those rescues occur in largely inaccessible areas and ropes are required. For the safety of the public and of the responders, this equipment is essential. Responders can handle calls for service of this type safely and more efficiently.”

The Roundup for Safety Board noted Friends of Bigfork Fire’s matching funds to provide the department with the training necessary to safely and effectively deploy the new equipment. The board awarded $8,000 of the $12,000 request.  

June grantees also include:  

St. Matthews Catholic School – safety cameras - $1,500  

Kalispell Police Department – crowd safety equipment - $2,500  

ImagineIF Library Foundation – ADA doors - $5,000  

Glacier Church – AED - $1,500   

Roundup for Safety funding comes from participating Flathead Electric Cooperatives 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, visit Roundup for Safety - Flathead Electric Cooperative.