RFD1 approves moving fire vehicles

The Rural Fire District 1 Board held their monthly meeting Tuesday where they unanimously approved a number of measures regarding vehicle storage, payments on their contract with the city of Havre and the development of contracts with local rural fire departments.

RFD1 Board Chair Steve Jamruszka said the three vehicles the board has access to including a 2013 Dodge flatbed, a 1967 International Fire Truck, and an International semi Tractor, need to be moved from their current locations.

As all three vehicles have not been used in years, all three require towing, Jamruszka said, so the board needs to approve the expenditure, which they did unanimously.

The three vehicles are being moved to board member Neil Larson’s business Midwest Diesel Injection Sales.

The board also unanimously approved their annual payment to the city of Havre for its fire department’s fire suppression services.

Board members also voted to pursue drawing up contracts with local rural fire departments that will allow them to assist the Havre Fire Department should it be needed in the district.

Hill County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel, who also handles fire code enforcement for RFD1, said such contracts would allow the rural departments to lend manpower and equipment to the city fire department.

She said the rural departments aren’t trained or equipped to handle structure fires on their own in the same way that the city is, but should the city require backup, the rural departments can provide it under these contracts.

The RFD1 Board has two open seats remaining on the board and Jamruszka said he’s open to any ideas for how to find people to fill those positions.