Missoula Fire Department

A $7.5 million federal grant awarded to the city this month will give the Missoula Fire Department a jump on a number of needs when added to the fire levy approved by voters in June.

The fire levy is permanent and will generate up to $7 million annually to support growth in the Missoula Fire Department.

Voters in the City of Missoula were in strong support of a fire levy and opposed to a study on local government, according to early returns.

The Missoula fire and police departments kicked off the budgeting season on Wednesday, detailing their funding requests for the new fiscal year.

Michael Kremkau writes that an "increase in call volume and service area has resulted in response times that are 2 minutes higher than national standards. Supporting the mil levy will help to add an additional fire station and engine company."

Mayor Andrea Davis writes, "The safety of our residents is paramount. Despite the challenges posed by the Montana property tax environment, we cannot afford to delay this much-needed investment."

The Missoula Fire Department on Wednesday kicked off the city's budgeting season, where the fate of the fire levy hangs heavy over the department's new fiscal year and how it approaches staffing and equipment.

Andy Drobeck writes, "This mill levy is an investment in the safety of our growing number of citizens. Missoula needs a fire department that serves the Missoula we are now."

As the city asks voters in Missoula to consider passing a fire levy this spring to help the Missoula Fire Department keep up with growth, it's also reminding residents that doing so may be tied to their insurance premiums.

If passed, it would generate $7 million a year for the Missoula Fire Department and fund a new station and new fire company, and bring the department's response times within national standards.