WHO
WE ARE
We Are a Nonprofit Public Charity
Marion Fire Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that supports the Marion Fire Department through fundraising. Join us in serving and protecting the community. We have supported the Marion Fire District since 1999. Originally we were known as the Marion Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. In April 2017, we incorporated and shortened our name to Marion Fire Auxiliary. We are recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 nonprofit public charity.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TASHA TOWNSEND
President
EILISH HANLY
Vice-President
CAROLYN HURST
Secretary
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JINGER DURYEA
Treasurer
MISSION + PROGRAMS
We ensure that first responders volunteering with the Marion Fire District in Flathead County, Montana have what they need to safely and effectively save lives and property.
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The Auxiliary provides grants of cash and goods to the Marion Fire District to address needs that its taxpayer-funded budget cannot cover. The grants are channeled through the following programs:
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Equipment (for fire, rescue, and medical operations)
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Gear (e.g., firefighter turnouts and personal protective equipment for emergency medical responders)
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Training
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Facility (e.g., maintaining and upgrading fire stations)
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Food (ensuring volunteers are fed on long operations and training events)
HOW WE GET MONEY
Our grants are funded by:
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Public contributions
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Annual raffle ticket sales
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Rental income generated by the management of the Marion Community Room (which is attached to Marion’s main fire station)
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Special events (such as auctions, flea markets, rubber duck races, craft shows, and bake sales). You can check out our upcoming events here.
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In addition to fundraising, we use our special events to help the
Marion Fire Department recruit and retain volunteers. People in
our community get the chance to connect with volunteers to encourage them. Hopefully, some will be inspired to join the crew!
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RECENT GRANTS
2023
$86,251
Included two Life-Pak monitor defibrillators, portable fire shelter, and Life Assist combi-carriers
2022
$16,761
Included firefighter turnouts. (Money raised for two Life-Pak monitor defibrillators were purchased in 2023 due to supply chain disruptions.)
2021
$33,510
Included Jaws of Life extrication tools
system and firefighter turnouts
2020
$14,493
Included an Extractor (a special type of washing machine that removes carcinogens and blood-borne pathogens from firefighters' turnouts), rope rescue equipment, & down payment on a Jaws of Life extrication tools system.
2019
$22,017
Included eight full sets of firefighter
turnouts.
2018
$28,220
Included a building-size prop for fire operations training and a thermal imaging camera.
2017
$25,181
Included a compressor fill station for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) tanks.