One‑time $5 million firefighter training grants proposed to expand live‑fire training across Montana

Representative Scott DeMorris presented House Bill 511 to create a one‑time $5 million firefighter training facility grant program to help volunteer and career departments purchase property, build or renovate live‑fire facilities, and buy training props.

DeMorris told the committee grants would cover acquisition, construction, remodeling and equipment such as door and roof props; grants over $25,000 may require a one‑percent match and individual county awards cannot exceed $500,000. The bill includes a per‑project cap and a limit of two funded applicants per county; larger single projects are capped at $250,000 per project and combined county funding cannot exceed $500,000.

Proponents included Carter Marsh from Montana Professional Firefighters, who noted improved training could reduce ISO ratings and thus lower insurance premiums for communities. Informational witnesses included René Dorval, deputy director for the Department of Military Affairs, and Janae Grotbo, the division’s chief financial officer. DES fiscal staff explained assumptions in the fiscal note: they estimated awarding roughly 30 grants, planned a 0.5 FTE grant manager to administer the program, and included monitoring travel and administration within the 3 percent administrative cap in the bill.

Committee members asked how the estimate of 30 grants was derived and whether maintenance costs for facilities would fall to local departments after construction. Sponsor and witnesses said the $25,000 grants could be used to buy training props if departments already have facilities, while larger grants would support construction of multi‑story or multi‑prop training centers; ongoing maintenance would be the responsibility of the local department. No vote was taken at the hearing.