Consent 1.E.
City Council Regular Business Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 01/26/2026
- TITLE
- Acceptance of P66 and Walmart Grant Funds
- PRESENTED BY:
- Matt Hoppel
- Department:
- Fire
Presentation:
No
Legal Review:
Project Number:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Approve acceptance of grant funds totaling $25,500 to support expansion of the Billings Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction (CRR) efforts to Billings Urban Fire Service Area (BUFSA) schools through the Safety Squad Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Billings Fire Department has received external grant funding from community partners to support the Safety Squad Program, a core component of the Department’s Community Risk Reduction (CRR) strategy, for the 2025–2026 school year. Awarded funding includes:
Phillips 66 – Billings Refinery: $24,500
Walmart – Billings Heights: $500
Walmart – Billings West End: $500
The Safety Squad Program is a proactive, prevention-based initiative designed to reduce fire incidents, injuries, and preventable emergencies by addressing risk at its earliest point—through targeted education of children and families. The program aligns with nationally recognized CRR principles by focusing on education, prevention, and behavior change to reduce demand on emergency response services.
Each year, the Safety Squad Program serves approximately 28 elementary schools across Billings, including School District 2, private, independent, and homeschool populations. The program reaches approximately 8,500 students annually in grades K–6, delivering age-appropriate instruction in fire safety, injury prevention, situational awareness, and emergency decision-making.
Phillips 66 – Billings Refinery: $24,500
Walmart – Billings Heights: $500
Walmart – Billings West End: $500
The Safety Squad Program is a proactive, prevention-based initiative designed to reduce fire incidents, injuries, and preventable emergencies by addressing risk at its earliest point—through targeted education of children and families. The program aligns with nationally recognized CRR principles by focusing on education, prevention, and behavior change to reduce demand on emergency response services.
Each year, the Safety Squad Program serves approximately 28 elementary schools across Billings, including School District 2, private, independent, and homeschool populations. The program reaches approximately 8,500 students annually in grades K–6, delivering age-appropriate instruction in fire safety, injury prevention, situational awareness, and emergency decision-making.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
Community Risk Reduction (CRR) emphasizes identifying local risk, prioritizing prevention strategies, and applying resources upstream to reduce emergency incidents before they occur. The Safety Squad Program is a direct application of this model and represents one of the most effective CRR tools available to the Billings Fire Department.
The awarded grant funding is supplemental and intended to enhance and expand existing CRR efforts to additional BUFSA schools. These funds will be used to:
Expand student take-home safety materials that reinforce classroom instruction and promote behavior change in the home.
Increase program reach and resiliency in response to sustained community demand.
Offset rising costs associated with educational materials and program delivery.
Strengthen partnerships with local industry and businesses invested in community safety outcomes.
The awarded grant funding is supplemental and intended to enhance and expand existing CRR efforts to additional BUFSA schools. These funds will be used to:
Expand student take-home safety materials that reinforce classroom instruction and promote behavior change in the home.
Increase program reach and resiliency in response to sustained community demand.
Offset rising costs associated with educational materials and program delivery.
Strengthen partnerships with local industry and businesses invested in community safety outcomes.
FISCAL EFFECTS
These funds will be used to enhance the Safety Squad Program.
STAKEHOLDERS
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
Approve; or,
Not Approve
Approve; or,
Not Approve