Mathison Talks Budget Needs, Recent Fires
Poplar Fire Chief Dave Mathison told the Northern Plains Independent that budgetary needs are pressing as fire season begins in Northeast Montana. The department is seeking funds to pay for a filling station to service self contained breathing apparatus used by the department. The price tag is approximately $49,000.
“That’s more than twice our current budget,” said Mathison.
He said the department budget comes in part from the Fort Peck Tribes, who contribute $23,000 annually. Traditionally, said Mathison, the Tribes contribution was a matching donation paired with funding from the Town of Poplar. However, said Mathison, the town hasn’t contributed to a department general fund for many years, despite keeping control of the department’s pumper truck, which it partially owns. “We have to ask permission to take it out,” he said.
There are other pressing needs faced by the department.
“The turnout gear alone is $2,000 per person,” said Mathison. “I can only outfit three of 13 firefighters at this point.”
Mathison said budget shortfalls and issues related to use of department equipment will be discussed at the next Poplar Town Council meeting, as well the results of department elections. That meeting is set for April 6 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Over the weekend, the department held its annual Fireman’s Ball. “It was awesome,” Said Mathison, He said the event was well attended by the public and county commissioners. Funds raised have not been counted but he said he expects the total to fall short of the amounts needed for the challenging year ahead.
High winds and dry conditions contributed to several fires over the past week. The department faced grass fires started by area children on King’s Hill March 22 and 25. Both fires threatened east end residences.
A grass fire near the Poplar Bridge on the southern edge of the reservation was put out by the department March 23 with help from Culbertson Volunteer Fire Department and the Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Department. A rekindle of that fire interrupted festivities on the evening of the Fireman’s Ball around 10 p.m.
To make a donation to the Poplar Volunteer Fire Department, call Mathison at 406790-0803 or visit the department’s Facebook page.
