Polson Rural Fire District fundraising facilitates equipment upgrade
POLSON RURAL Fire District has three fire houses, including one on Regatta Road, one in the Irvine Flats area and another in Big Arm. The department responds to calls spanning over an area of 180 square miles, as well as providing mutual aid to other departments and agencies. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
THROUGH DONATIONS and grants, the Polson Rural Fire District has been able to purchase various items ranging from Randy, a training mannequin, to new cones and a sign. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
NEW RADIOS were purchased by Polson Rural Fire District following a fundraising campaign. The radios cost between $2,200-$2,400, and help those inside fires to communicate with others outside fires. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Once a year, the Polson Rural Fire District sends out donation letters for their largest fundraiser of the year.
“Money trickles in for about six months,” Captain Drew Hoel said.
Since last fall, the department has received $34,000 in donations that range from $10,000 from a single household to $2 with a note of thanks and that the amount was all that could be afforded.
“I cannot express enough that the taxpayers, the citizens, have come together” to support PRFD, Hoel said.
Approximately 4,600 donation letters were sent to citizens.
The funds have helped purchase new air bags, training devices, various upgrades for trucks and radios, which Hoel said are among the most important tools that have been acquired.
Those radios, he explained, are a big help because they allow crews inside fires to communicate with those on the outside. They come with a price tag that ranges from $2,200 to $2,400, Hoel noted.
Throughout the spring, summer and fall months, Hoel said that district members are busy answering calls, but also administering various types of training and awareness through the area.
Last summer, Hoel purchased a Dalmatian named Spanner, who dons a little PRFD vest and tags along on trainings.
Spanner does not go along on calls and is only used for training, Hoel said.
For citizens interested in a tour of the fire house on 25b Regatta Road, Polson, they just have to call and let the district know.
Visit lakemt.gov/prfd/index.html for more information.