SMART team seeks funding, forms nonprofit; county defers county-level adoption until 2027

Zach, speaking for the SMART technical-rescue team, gave a detailed update on the group's organizational and funding work and on recent operational activity.

He said the team is working to set up a private nonprofit (a fire-relief–style association) to handle fundraising and equipment support, with Kyle Smith named as the nonprofit's president in internal discussions. "We're working on bylaws and all the paperwork ... Kyle Smith is one of our rescuers. He's been deemed the president of that," Zach said.

Zach told council he had met with county officials and presented SMART as a county-level resource, but the Renville County executive committee was split and asked for additional internal review. "The county has decided not to move forward with considering our team at the county level until at least 2027 to be considered for the 2028 budget year," he said (paraphrase of the update provided in the meeting).

The team reported about 15 calls in nine years under the current structure and described outreach to neighboring fire departments, farm and community events, and recent training. Zach also noted a recent resignation from the roster and said the team is recruiting to reach a 20-person operational roster.

Council and staff discussed billing for mutual-aid calls, existing mutual-aid agreements that may limit billing for up to three hours, and the need for better promotion and outreach so dispatchers and area departments know when to call SMART. Zach said staff will continue outreach and recruitment and that the nonprofit paperwork and bylaws are in progress with an update expected at the next team status update.

Next steps: SMART will continue to pursue nonprofit formation and local partnerships; staff and the team plan additional outreach to neighboring departments, recruitment for roster vacancies and a follow-up on county-level consideration in 2027.