Trustee Position Open, Smoke Detector Program Beginning

District Administrator Lynn Richards announced at the Seeley Lake Fire Board meeting Dec. 15 that Missoula County is now accepting applications for one position on the board that will be voted on in the May 3 election. Trustee Al Rogers’ position is up for re-election.

The trustee election will be held May 3, 2016. Richards said the Missoula County regulations for trustee elections have changed. Applicants are no longer required to get community signatures to be accepted. All applicants need to do is fill out the application, have it notarized and return it to the Missoula County Elections Office by Feb. 8. Forms are available at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall and at the Elections Office in Missoula. The application period opened Dec. 10.

Also at the meeting Seeley Lake Fire Chief Bob Vanden Heuvel announced that the Fire Company is working with local businesses to implement a smoke detector program for the community to ensure every home in the district has smoke detectors. Homes with children are a primary focus of the effort.

Chief Vanden Heuvel reported that at the last Fire Company meeting the group agreed to implement a fire safety program targeting fifth through eighth-graders and providing smoke detectors to homes without them.

The Fire Company is still working out the details of brand and price. They hope to collaborate possibly with First Alert to provide the smoke alarms and a supply of batteries.

The smoke alarms will be available to the public at the Fire Station by mid to end of January. Those getting the alarms will be asked to sign a waiver releasing the district from any liability should the smoke alarms not function properly.

In other business:

• Chief Vanden Heuvel announced that there will be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course offered starting Feb. 23. The department will also offer a Firefighter 1 course for entry-level structure firefighters.

• Chief Vanden Heuvel will provide the board with the full packet of legal recommendations and information regarding the nighttime transport stipend. The board will review and vote on it at the next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall. For more information visit http://www.seeleyfire.org.