Former board member says country watching

Letter to the Editor,

In response to the petition of intent to dissolve CVFSA:

It seems the argument is that the Cabinet View Fire Service Area was created for structure fire protection only. When CVFSA was created in 2002 a board of trustees was appointed by the Commissioners to govern and manage the CVFSA. (MCA 7-33-2403-b).

In 2008, the CVFSA board of trustees adopted a resolution to offer emergency services to its constituents. That resolution is filed at the Lincoln County Courthouse. At that time CVFSA let the Commissioners and every government agency in the area know of their intent. 

At no time was CVFSA told they would need to petition to add services. More than three years later and only after being hit with a request for a declaratory judgment do they now say CVFSA needs to petition to add medical services. 

The CVFSA Board had asked the Commissioners for an Attorney General’s opinion, they refused. It would have been free. CVFSA did not want to run an ambulance service, they only wanted to offer quick first response as the closest resource to their constituents when needed.

As a new kid on the block way back when, CVFD needed a big brother to stretch out a hand to the little brother to help them excel, CVFSA owes that to its constituents. 

Instead the local agencies were determined that CVFSA should not succeed, CVFSA was told there aren’t enough pieces of the pie to go around.

The Commissioners are putting Libby on the map again. 

Emergency agencies across the country look on in disbelief at what is happening. 

It’s a shame CVFSA has to spend valuable time fighting this battle. Why can’t we team up, work together and spend our time and energy building each other up instead of tearing down. EVERY emergency agency is needed.

In 1997, we lost our home and business to fire, losing everything due to not having closer resources. While that cannot be undone, we have been grateful for CVFSA/CVFD and would be devastated to see such a necessary asset dissolved.

Thank you to every volunteer in Lincoln County and beyond for serving.

— Betty Troyer

Former CVFSA Board member

Property owner