Baucus, Tester announce more than $100,000 for Montana firefighters, deputies

Homeland Security grants will go to Deer Lodge, Harlowton, Virginia City, Winnett, Kalispell, Broadus, Forsyth, and Black Eagle

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Eight Montana communities are getting more than $100,000 to make their communities safer, U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today.

The money comes from the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program.  The program is highly competitive and is available only to law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other emergency responder agencies with specific financial and capability needs.

The following Montana fire departments and sheriffs’ offices are receiving grants:

• Powell County Sheriffs Office in Deer Lodge for an Advanced Vehicle Tracking System – $43,000
• Wheatland County  Sheriff’s Office  in Harlowton for dTective – a Forensic Video Evidence Enhancement, Clarification and Analysis System  – $14,000 
• Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia City for Mini Thermal Monocular, a hand-held thermal imager for a wide range of missions – $8,000 
• Petroleum County Sheriff’s Office in Winnett for Mini Thermal Monocular, a hand-held thermal imager for a wide range of missions $8,000 
• Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in Kalispell for Mini Thermal Monocular, a hand-held thermal imager for a wide range of missions $8,000 
• Broadus County Fire Department in Broadus for Mini Thermal Monocular, a hand-held thermal imager for a wide range of missions $8,000 
• Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office in Forsyth for Night Vision equipment – $3,785 
• Wheatland County Sheriff’s Office in Harlowton for Night Vision equipment – $3,785 
• Missouri River Fire and Rescue in Black Eagle for NOMAD, a software program for crisis management –  $28,550

“Our local fire and sheriffs department help keep our communities safe,” Baucus said. “We need to do all we can to make sure they get their jobs done and get home safely themselves, and means making sure they have the best technology available.”

“Our local first responders are always on the go keeping our communities safe and hi-tech equipment will help them in their efforts,” said Tester, a member of the Senate’s Homeland Security Committee. “Ensuring that our communities have the resources they is something I’m very proud to support.”