Local fire departments get grants after worst wildfire season in a century

Several local fire departments have received cash assistance after fighting numerous fires in what is reported as the worst Montana wildfire season in 100 years.

Plain Green Loans, the online lending company of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, and the Montana Community Foundation have announced grants they provided to fire departments in the area.

Fire departments responded to multiple fires, including the July Fire that burned 11,699 acres in the Little Rocky Mountains and the East Fork Fire that burned 21,896 acres in the Bear Paw Mountains.

Plain Green said in a press release the company donated $30,000 to the Rocky Boy Volunteer Fire Department, while the Montana Community Foundation said in a release the Montana Wildfire Relief Fund the foundation created in partnership with the Montana Television Networkt had made grants to eight local fire departments.

That fund “is dedicated to supporting wildfire relief efforts following Montana’s unprecedented 2017 wildfire season,” the release said. “Launched in early September 2017, the fund has grown to more than $600,000 through the extraordinary generosity of individuals, businesses, private foundations, and many others across the country.”

Grant amounts range from $600 to $15,000 and were awarded to 81 organizations across Montana, primarily rural volunteer fire departments, the release said, adding that the majority of grant requests being fulfilled will be used to purchase personal protection equipment, radios, equipment such as hoses and nozzles, and other safety gear.

The departments awarded grants in this area are:

• Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department,

• Chinook Volunteer Fire Department,

• Chippewa Cree Tribe,

• Gildford Volunteer Fire Department,

• Harlem Volunteer Fire Department,

• Hogeland Volunteer Fire Department,

• North Toole County Fire Department and

• Turner Volunteer Fire Department.

“We’re grateful to have played an important role in not only receiving these charitable gifts, but also in administering the grants,” said Montana Community Foundation President and CEO Mary Rutherford. “We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact these funds will make on the recipient organizations and, in turn, the positive impact made on communities across Montana affected by the fires.”

Plain Green’s $30,000 donation to the Rocky Boy Volunteer Fire Department will help pay for a new fire truck and safety equipment, a release about the donation said, adding that the six volunteers on the department have begun formal training and several have already received fire ready certification.

“This donation from Plain Green Loans is greatly appreciated and goes a long way toward our goal of creating a modern, well-functioning fire department,” said Calvin Jilot, fire chief. “In total, we’ve raised just over $80,000 but we still have a long way to go. We received an estimate of $500,000 for a new fire truck and two tanks can cost nearly $40,000.”

Some of the department’s oxygen tanks date from 2002, while first aid kits and other equipment are too old to be re-certified for use. The Chippewa Cree Tribe is raising funds from private donations and grants from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to secure new tanks, masks and other gear.

“In the wake of this summer’s devastating wild fires, we believe it is critical to support our community’s volunteer firefighters,” said Jay Abbasi, chief executive officer of Plain Green. “In addition to being trained to put out wild fires, the volunteers recently received Fire Ready certification for responding to fires in residential and commercial buildings, as well as HazMat certification for emergency response involving hazardous materials. A new fire truck will allow the volunteers to respond more quickly while enhancing the safety of all involved. We’re pleased to provide funding for new firefighting equipment to support the first responders.”

Donations to the Rocky Boy Volunteer Fire Department can be made by sending a check to the attention of Fire Chief Calvin Jilot f/b/o Rocky Boy Volunteer Fire Department, 31 Agency Sq., Box Elder, MT 59521.