Columbia Falls area first responders receive Roundup for Safety grant

On May 8, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program awarded $37,950 in grants supporting community safety projects proposed by nine nonprofit organizations, including the Columbia Falls Police Department and Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Department. 

The Columbia Falls Police Department requested assistance in augmenting its emergency response plan equipment via crisis response kits and CLAW tactical tools for each squad car. Chief Chad Stephens told the Roundup for Safety Board that his department spends considerable time training for emergencies potentially involving the use of breaching tools like a CLAW.  

“A CLAW can be used as a ram, break locks, force doors open, help an officer get into a wrecked car,” Stephens said. “The uses are really limitless, and it will be useful in everyday situations and crises, too.” 

The Board granted the department’s $8,915 request in full. 

The Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Department approached the Roundup for Safety Board for help replacing fire truck hoses. Fire Chief Jared Lako shared that the volunteer group is diligent in the care of its equipment, always scrubbing and drying hoses after use.  

“However, these hoses are over 20 years old, and when they whip under pressure, sometimes they break, which is a safety hazard in and of itself, in addition to the obvious problem of attempting to fight a fire with a broken hose,” Lako said.  

The Board awarded the department $8,000 towards the purchase of new hose. 

May grantees also include DREAM Adaptive Recreation, which will get an AED and a lift with its $6,285 grant. Whitefish Legacy Partners will perform trail safety work with its $4,000 grant. Camas Day School received $3,750 for a fence. 

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church will perform lift repair with its $3,000 grant and the Kootenai Rapids/Lincoln County Youth Soccer Association received $1,500 for an AED. 

Gateway to Glacier Trails will buy signage and PPE with its $1,500 grant and the Montana Kayak Academy will use its $1,000 grant for life jackets and helmets. 

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. To learn more visit Roundup for Safety - Flathead Electric Cooperative.