Fort Ellis Fire and Rescue Capital Campaign Surpasses Halfway Mark with Investment from Bozeman Health
Bozeman - The Fort Ellis All Volunteer Fire and Rescue is excited to engage the entire Bozeman community in its capital campaign to build a new fire station. The $1.5 million campaign has surpassed the halfway mark with a $25,000 donation from Bozeman Health.
The current 50+ year old station is structurally unsound and sits in a flood plain. The lease on the existing building expires in 2024, making it an opportune time to boost the effectiveness of their future service and enable the station to match the rapid growth of the community. Fort Ellis Fire Chief Mike Cech said, “This new building will solidify our fire and EMS services into the next 50 years and beyond for our community. We are thrilled to have the support of Bozeman Health who has been such an incredible community partner to our station.”
Bozeman Health contributed to the capital campaign, as a long-standing partner of Fort Ellis Fire and Rescue in medical emergencies, drills focused on mass casualty incidents, and crisis intervention on behavioral health calls. Benefit Grant and Sponsorship Committee. She was inspired to support the Fort Ellis Fire Department’s grant application Heather Brown, the Interim Director of Marketing and Communications at Bozeman Health, serves on Bozeman Health’s Community due to personal experience with the sacrifice first responders make to support safety in our rural communities. Brown shares, "My father was a volunteer fire fighter in the small town where I grew up. He and his crew were often the firston the scene at a rural fire and administered first aid. They helped save many barns and houses in our rural community.” Brown continued, “The Fort Ellis Fire Department volunteer fire fighters generously give their time and potentially their safety to help protect our rural communities. The Bozeman Health Committee’s recommendation to provide community benefit dollars to support the capital campaign for the fire station kitchen is a great way to say thank you for the vital services they provide to increase community safety in southwest Montana.”
Chris Grimes, Manager of the Emergency Department at Bozeman Health expressed, “Bozeman Health Regional Medical Center Emergency Department relies heavily upon the Fire/EMS systems in the community. As a volunteer fire department, Fort Ellis provides exceptional service to the citizens of southeast Bozeman and the Fort Ellis community. Citizens who might not otherwise receive critical Fire and First Responder services for incidents such as medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, structure fires, and emergency preparedness. Fort Ellis Fire and Rescue members freely donate their time ensuring they met the emergent needs of the Fort Ellis Community. Fort Ellis Fire and Rescue is highly respected and increases patient survivability in many cases. We are humbled by their service and honored to partner with them towards a successful future."
Fort Ellis Fire and Rescue responds to over 300 calls per year and services a 59 square mile area on the east side of Bozeman, protecting community assets valued at over $800 million in the service area. Volunteers not only provide critical EMT/EMS services to Bozeman pass on I-90, but also important mutual aid services to all surrounding fire districts. Fort Ellis was the second on scene at the recent Bridger Foothills fire, and first on scene at the Mystic Lake fire this past month.
Join Fort Ellis Fire and Rescue by supporting this campaign to ensure our community has fire, rescue, and EMS services on the east side of Bozeman where we all recreate and travel each year. Learn more and donate today at https://www.fortellisfire.org/new-fort-ellis-fire-station.
