Polson fire and police receive public safety grants
Polson Fire Department and Police Department each received grants from the Montana Department of Commerce recently, aimed at improving emergency services in rural areas.
The two grants were among 26 awarded to local safety agencies from Commerce’s Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program.
The City of Polson Fire Department received $66,000 for the purchase of advanced life support equipment, including cardiac monitors and Lucas auto-pulse devices, and the Polson Police Department was awarded $50,701 for the purchase of two trailers, a variable message sign and supporting equipment.
Fire Chief Clint Cottle explained that the heart monitors “will do everything from taking basic sets of vital signs to treating specific heart-related medical problems.” The monitors are also capable of reading carbon monoxide levels in an individual’s blood, “which can be used on fire scenes to make sure our firefighters are at safe levels.”
The Lucas devices are automatic compression units used during CPR, “which frees up responders to do other things that are needed on scene,” said Cottle.
“This equipment will greatly enhance our capabilities in treating a wider variety of heart-related medical problems when responding to medical emergencies involving members of our community and visitors,” he added.
The department currently has three vehicles equipped to respond to medical emergencies, and two of those vehicles will now carry the new equipment.
The Polson Police Department’s grant funding helps launch the CARES Program (Community Awareness Regarding Enforcement & Safety), aimed at improving traffic safety and public awareness in Polson, especially during the busy tourist season.
The grant finances two SMART 18-speed trailers and a SMART Variable Message Sign (VMS)—"essential tools in reducing speeding and managing traffic flow,” according to Polson Police Chief George Simpson.
The department plans to deploy the devices in key areas such as school zones and high-traffic spots to provide real-time speed feedback and deliver crucial updates on road conditions, events and emergency alerts.
Simpson says the grant funds will help the department invest in advanced traffic management tools without diverting resources from essential operations, “ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing taxpayer value.”
In addition to reducing the number of speeding motorists, the trailers and VMS also gather traffic data to guide future enforcement efforts. This proactive, data-driven approach “is designed to make Polson’s roads safer for residents and visitors alike.”
The Polson CARES Program also includes public awareness efforts designed to educate drivers on safe practices. Maintenance and outreach costs are part of the department’s annual budget, with continued community partnerships ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.
“This initiative marks a critical step in enhancing traffic safety and supports our mission to make Polson a safer place to live, work, learn, and play,” Chief Simpson said.
The METAP program is designed to support services provided by public or private safety agencies including law enforcement, firefighting and ambulance or medical services.
“Emergency services are critical in rural areas of the state that may have experienced an increase in visitation recently,” said Paul Green, director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “At Commerce, we’re proud to support first responders and others who help save lives and improve public safety in our rural communities.”