Missoula Rural Fire Begins Study of Its Own Infrastructure Needs

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - With all the focus this year on The Missoula City Fire Department resulting in the passage of the City Fire Levy and a federal SAFER Grant, the focus is now turning to Missoula Rural Fire as it also faces increasing calls for service and badly needed infrastructure improvement for its five current fire stations.

I spoke with Missoula Rural Fire Chief Paul Finlay on Tuesday about a study now underway to determine what steps are necessary to bring the department successfully into the future.

A Study is Underway for Missoula Rural Fire as They Plan for the Future

Finlay said a professional survey is already underway.

“Not unlike Missoula City Fire, we are definitely seeing an increase in our demand needs as well, and so we are conducting a survey through a secondary company known as Emergency Services Consulting Incorporated to determine whether or not our stations are in the correct locations for response needs relative to the fire district, and we are also doing one cooperatively with Missoula Fire Department,” began Finlay.

Finlay provided some sobering statistics about the challenges facing a growing area of service.

Missoula Rural Fire Needs More Staffing and More Strategic Locations

“Our area is in excess of 80 square miles, and we're trying to cover it with limited staffing and from a number of locations,” he said. “Because of this, we are definitely stretched trying to cover that 80 plus miles with a limited staff, and certainly we want to provide for the safest opportunity for our staff to be able to provide (firefighting and protection) to the taxpayers that we serve.”

Chief Finlay said the main fire station on South Avenue actually poses a possible health challenge to the resident firefighters.

“We have our three-person crew who are separated from our engines by just a single door, and so obviously the truck exhaust blows into that area each time that we leave,” he said. “Additionally, we have our gear, which is known as cancer-causing gear now because of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a class of fluorinated chemicals that we're storing in our stations inappropriately.”

Chief Finlay Understands the Increasing Tax Burden on County Residents

Chief Finlay said he understands the increasing tax burdens of Missoula County residents and is looking forward to seeing the finished study to determine the next steps forward in fire protection.

A press release from Missoula Rural Fire states, “We are responding to approximately 3,500 calls each year, with 53 career firefighters, 7 administrative staff, and 20 volunteers. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards for fire stations have changed considerably over the years, and as we have grown, MRFD is currently meeting those standards at only one station, the newly constructed station 4 in Bonner.  The other four stations do not meet the current standards set by the NFPA and need either replacement or updating.”