SVFD receives grant to install back-up generator at fire hall

Representatives from Montana Disaster and Emergency Services where at the Superior Volunteer Fire Department fire hall on Thurs. to officially award Chief John Woodland with a Hazard Mitigation Program Grant.

The grant will enable the Superior Volunteer Fire Department to install a back-up power generator at the fire hall, which according to Chief Woodland was something the department hoped for but were initially unable to install in the initial building of the fire hall.

“It’s another step towards having this building in a position where it can really function well for us in an extended emergency,” Chief Woodland said. “It means that if we have an extended power outage for any reason, including a major weather event, that we can continue to keep heat and light in this building and keep our equipment heated, ready to go and maintained.”

Chief Woodland added that with a building utilized for emergency services such as the fire hall, it is always beneficial to both the department and the community to have a back-up power source.

“It also means that we have the potential to use the building for sheltering purposes for other people in the community if that becomes necessary,” Chief Woodland said.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Officers Kent Atwood and Nadene Wadsworth were given a tour of the recently built fire hall by Chief Woodland before going over the details of the grant.

According to Chief Woodland the installation of the generator will begin once the ground thaws and they are able to dig.

“Our intent is to make the process (of giving the SVFD grants funds for the generator) as easy as possible,” Atwood said.

Atwood added that he would like to come back to the fire hall to see the completed project.