Committee backs grant program to help volunteer and rural fire departments buy PPE, showers and extractors

Representative Scott DeMaurice (cosponsor) presented House Bill 901, which establishes a grant program to help fire departments—especially small volunteer and rural departments—obtain personal protective equipment, extraction/washing equipment, and shower facilities to reduce exposure to carcinogens and improve firefighter health. The bill allows grants of up to $10,000, limits awards to one per department per year, and funds the program with gifts, grants and donations plus a small nonrefundable $10 application fee.

Supporters included Joel Gaertig (Montana State Firefighters Association), local chiefs and the Montana League of Cities and Towns, who cited cancer-prevention research and practical station needs. "Getting the toxic soot off of us and out of our turnouts is the initial line of defense against cancer," said Joel Gaertig in committee testimony. Department of Military Affairs staff and the department’s CFO provided informational assistance on administering the program.

Committee members expressed fiscal caution but generally supported the targeted, low-cost approach; the committee approved HB901 on a roll-call vote. The bill now moves from committee with bipartisan backing and sponsor commitments to work with administrative staff on implementation details.

What comes next: If the bill continues to move through the Legislature it will require administrative set-up and rulemaking to accept donations and award grants; the Department of Military Affairs was identified as the likely administrator.