FEC’s Roundup for Safety assists 13 community safety projects
Flathead Electric Co-op's Roundup for Safety Board on April 11 awarded $52,174 in grant funds supporting 13 community safety projects.
The Columbia Falls Fire Department requested $10,000 toward the purchase of a respirator fit tester. This device tests firefighters’ masks to ensure a proper and safe fit.
“We wear these masks when we enter structure fires,” said Fire Chief Karl Weeks, “And the fit tester makes sure that dangerous gases don’t enter our masks as we work. Those gasses are a short-term and long-term hazard for firefighters, as they respond to emergencies, and further down the road.”
Each firefighter has his or her mask and the fit test is performed at least once annually. The fire department plans to offer the use of the device to other area firefighters. In 2023, Columbia Falls responded to 24 structure fires and went through multiple structure fire training sessions.
Faced with more worthy requests than Roundup for Safety could fully support, the board approved $5,000 in grant funds for the respirator fit tester.
April grantees also include Senior Mobile Home Repairs - safety repair work - $5,000;
Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley - electrical safety - $3,000; Community Action Partnership of NWMT - safety lighting - $5,500; Deer Park Elementary School - doors, keys, fobs - $4,000; Project Whitefish Kids - baseball nets - $2,500; ImagineIF Library Foundation - ADA doors - $5,000; Glacier Hockey Association - laceration prevention equipment - $674;
Whitefish Christian Academy - camera system - $6,000; Glacier 4-H Club – InReach minis - $1,000; Glacier Queer Alliance - AED, first aid kit - $2,500; Epworth United Methodist Church - stair safety - $4,000; Heritage Academy - window safety film - $2,000; and Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country - building safety upgrades - $6,000.
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 $4.9 million in funding since 1997. To learn more, visit www.flatheadelectric.com/our-community/roundup-for-safety/