Marion Fire District
P.O. Box 939, 180 Gopher Lane, Marion, MT 59925
Phone: (406) 854-2828 / Fax: (406) 854-9330
Website: www.marionfd.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES – Minutes
Board of trustees in attendance: Aaron Jones, Brian Dodge, Betty Heino, Sarah Reide, Travis
Reide
Other guests in attendance: Chief Jason Hill, Captain Neil Heino, Sue Dexter
Community members in attendance: Emily Eagan, Colin Hurlbut, Heidi Hill, Trevor Roesch, Mark
Young, Reagan Ernsberger, Brian Eagan, Bob & Wendy Blankenship, Luke Hindoien, Lily Brower
DATE: March 26, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Marion Fire District Community Center at 180 Gopher Lane, Marion, MT
PLEDGE
PUBLIC COMMENT
(Matters under the jurisdiction of the Marion Fire District Board of Trustees that are not on the
agenda may be addressed by the public at this time. However, the Board is generally prohibited
from taking action on matters until the public has been provided sufficient notice.)
- Luke from Rocky Mountain Insurance is here with finalized quote
*Added to new business so it can be voted on
AGENDA
I. Call to Order, Roll Call and Establishment of Quorum was completed by Chairman
Aaron Jones
II. Consent to Agenda
a. Brian Dodge: Motion to consent to agenda with the exception of the action item of
swearing in of the new board member and board realignment – this will be
addressed in a closed session.
i. Betty Heino seconded
ii. Motion passed
III. Approve previous board minutes (January 2026 + February 2026)
a. Sarah Reide: Motion to approve January 29th and February 25th minutes.
i. Betty Heino seconded
ii. Motion passed
IV. Reports
a. Financial Reports – Sue Dexter (see attached report)
i. Review of current warrants / claims for payment
ii. Review Treasurer’s Reports
1. Currently at 66% of budget
2. 5% increase this month
a. Nothing notable stands out this month
3. Discussion of plow truck funds – still tabled until May
iii. Pintler account updates
1. To date we have received $58,000 from them
2. Discussion of what has been paid
b. Fire Chief report & updates – Chief Jason Hill (see attached report)
i. Calls overview – 1 correction to report: 28 calls since February 25th
ii. Overview of trainings
iii. Academy
1. 7 from Marion
2. 9 from outside agencies
iv. Review of stations and maintenance updates
v. Auxiliary – waiting on turnouts
vi. Community events:
1. Easter Pancake Breakfast & Egg Hunt – April 4th
vii. Other updates
1. Marion Subdivision Requirements
a. Current requirements are from 2013 – needs to be updated
b. Basing new requirements off of county subdivision fire
protection portion
2. FCFCA:
a. Next meeting is in May
i. Finalize bylaws, formation and induction officers
viii. Part-time position has been filled
ix. PIO position updates:
1. Switching title to administrative assistant
a. 10 hour/week part time position
i. 40 hours/month, $15/hour
ii. Making a schedule, some in office work and some
working from home
b. Funding for position – Sue Dexter
i. Not currently budgeted, but through 6/3 should be fine
and will add as item on next year’s budget
c. EMS report – Captain Neil Heino (see attached report)
i. Sick/Not Sick presentation completed last month
1. New program out this fall that we will be looking for
ii. Discussion on county policy for call stacking
1. Worst call out first
2. Policy is no more than 20 minutes on a call
a. Prioritize calls based on patients’ needs
b. Call in other units to take a call if it takes more than 20
minutes
iii. Waiting on county stipend to get another paramedic on board
1. County is in budget process to determine where money will be
allocated from
2. We receive around $35,000 from the county every year for units and
administration
V. Action Items
a. Swearing in new board member and board realignment moved to closed session
discussion
VI. Additional discussion items:
a. EMS Education – Captain Neil Heino
i. Waiting for county to come up with budget for education
1. They are in the process of determining amount and where to allocate
money from
ii. Working on developing scenario calls rather than lectures
1. Also working with equipment on the ambulance
iii. Two people left to take EMT test
iv. Working for endorsements, moving along
b. Board bylaw review – Betty Heino
i. Sent previous bylaws to county attorney
1. Attorney sent back bylaws that they recommended
2. Includes suggestions for amendments
ii. Board members need to review pamphlets and provide suggestions for
changes
1. Return responses within a week
iii. Once county approves of final draft, then we can move to accept new
bylaws
c. Library book box - Lily Brower
i. School is asking if it can be set up by information board on street by
school
1. No funding needed, the school will set up everything
ii. Chief Jason approves of library box being set up
iii. Aaron Jones: Recommend contacting digging contractor to verify where
utility lines are located
iv. Betty Heino: Motion to allow Marion Public School to have a book box on
property of Marion Fire District.
1. Brian Dodge seconded
2. Motion passed
VII. New business:
a. Insurance review – current policy renews on April 1st
i. Brian Dodge abstained from discussion and voting due to personal
conflicts
ii. Proposed new insurance carrier: VFIS
a. Policy highlights:
i. $31,000 for year ($6000 cheaper than last policy, lowered
premium $1000) – overall better coverage for cheaper rate
1. Higher limits
a. Increased coverage for work comp
2. $3,000 deductible
3. Access to online training
a. Train the trainer class is free to send 3 people,
$50/seat after that
iii. Betty Heino: Motion to change insurance company from HUB
International to VFIS as of April 1st, 2026.
1. Sarah Reide seconded
2. Motion passed
VIII. Announcements:
a. Next meeting: April 30th @ 6:30pm
IX. Adjournment – Time 7:16 pm
a. Sarah Reide: Motion to adjourn.
i. Travis Reide seconded
ii. Motion passed