To provide grants to assist Rural Volunteer fire Departments in purchasing the necessary tools, training and safety equipment needed to perform their important functions safely and efficiently, thereby supporting those who serve to keep our communities safe.
In the State of Montana there are 8,000 Volunteer Firefighters serving in over 380 Rural Volunteer Fire Departments who respond to emergencies in our small communities, 72% of these incidents are emergency medical services, fires, weather, explosions and other hazardous situations. The firefighters must have the right equipment and training for the situation at hand. Most departments depend on donations raised through community activities, they rarely receive funding from taxes and if they do, the tax base is too small to adequately equip and train them for all situations. Montana Volunteer Fire Departments make up 83.6% of all Montana departments, 13.2% higher than the nationwide average. Grant money is intended to improve safety and efficiency for Rural Volunteer Firefighters by providing funding for “necessary” equipment and training.
Every Fall, the State Major Project Committee supplies grant application forms and information to Lodges statewide that is then sent to fire departments in their jurisdiction in early September. Grant applications are due on December 31st and the committee announces grant awards at the MSEA Winter Meeting, usually the third week of January. Checks are sent to local Lodges shortly thereafter and they personally deliver the grants to their local fire departments.
Dave Elmore State Major Project Chair 112 N Pattee St Missoula, MT 59802-4440
Email: Email: delmoremt@gmail.com or hellgateelks@gmail.com
Dave Elmore, Montana State Major Project Chairman, 112 N Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802-4440
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