The Greenough Potomac Volunteer Fire Department provides both fire and medical services to an area of about 177 square miles. This area begins at mile marker 10 on Highway 200 near Johnsrud, and extends east to the Missoula and Powell County line. It runs from the Nine-Mile Prarie on the north to the crest of the Garnet Mountains to the south. Within this area there are approximately 570 residence
s. The Department finances its operation through the assessment of fees. The Missoula County Commissioners established this Department in 1993, under Montana Code 7-332401 (Fire Service Area). The Department then became, and still is, an entity of Missoula County. In a fire district, an evaluation is made of the total value of properties within the district, and then a mill levy is established to determine how much each property owner pays in property taxes for support. Those with larger holdings pay more than those with smaller holdings. We are, rather, a FIRE SERVICE AREA. In a fire service area, a fixed fee is established for particular units within a designated area. Our units are 'resident' and 'business'. The fee for a resident, regardless of type and size, is currently $60.00 per year, and this includes all out-buildings on the residential property. The current fee for a business is $100.00 per year, and we define a business as a place where the public enters to transact business. The Greenough Potomac Fire Department is governed by a five member Board of Trustees. Each member is elected to the Board by the public to serve a three-year term. The Department is managed by a Fire Chief appointed by the Trustees. There are no paid members of this Department as we are a totally Volunteer organization.
