Grant helps fire district

Verendrye Member Services Manager Tom Rafferty, center, poses for a picture with representatives of the Upham Fire Protection District after presenting them with a $2,500 Operation Round Up grant. On the left is John Takala, VP/Treasurer, and on the right is Brady Podoll, President,

Operation Round Up helps Upham Fire District

The Upham Fire Supporters is proud to announce a generous $2500 donation from Verendrye Electric Cooperative in support of the Upham Fire Protection District SCBA replacement project.

Verendrye Electric Cooperative serves a large portion of McHenry County, providing electric service to rural homes, farms, businesses, and community facilities throughout the county. Their service area spans 4,800 square miles across North Dakota and includes major portions of McHenry, Ward, and Sheridan counties, as well as parts of Renville, McLean, Pierce, and Wells counties.
 

Since 1996, Verendrye members have supported their communities through Operation Round Up, a program in which members voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These small contributions accumulate into meaningful grants that benefit local organizations, community projects, and individuals facing extraordinary medical expenses. The Upham Fire Protection District is honored to be a recipient of support made possible by the generosity of Verendrye Electric and its members.

In April 2024, UFPD launched Project “SCBA” to replace outdated Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units that had reached end-of-life. SCBAs are essential for protecting volunteer firefighters during fires and hazardous materials incidents. During a recent “solid smoke” structure fire, UFPD firefighters were forced to enter through the roof and attic—an operation that would not have been possible without functioning SCBA equipment. Upham Fire Supporters have worked side by side with the UFPD to provide funding for this project. Tom Rafferty, “VEC appreciates helping dedicated Fire and EMS organizations with monetary contributions to communities to assist members and keep them safe.”

The Upham Fire Supporters—a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to financially and educationally supporting UFPD—has already secured funding for part of this essential equipment, though several units still need to be replaced. Through local fundraisers, grant efforts, and the generosity of community partners like Verendrye Electric and its Operation Round Up program, UFPD continues working to fully update this vital gear.

UFPD and UFS extends its sincere appreciation to Verendrye Electric Cooperative and its members for their ongoing commitment to public safety and their support of communities across McHenry County.