Eye on Energy - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Eye on Energy

More people in the Bakken has translated into more of almost everything -- including fire and rescue calls
Of course, in much of the region -- including all of Mountrail County -- fire and rescue jobs fall on volunteers.
In today's Eye on Energy, Perry Olson talks with the Mountrail County Sheriff about the increased workload these men and women are now facing.

 This truck sits now...but it is only a matter of time before the next call comes for Stanley's Rural Fire crew...all volunteers -- and facing lots of extra work.

(Ken Halvorson - Mountrail County Sheriff) "We have four communities in the county with fire and rescue...they are all volunteers.  I being the sheriff have seen many times that these folks have been sent out...Stanley, New Town, Parshall, Plaza..."

It is another aspect of the oil boom -- more work for those who might not be considered a part of the energy explosion...but really they are.  The 911 dispatch center sits close to Halvorson's office...so he knows how often these men and women are called away from their normal day-to-day activities...

(Ken Halvorson - Mountrail County Sheriff) "The volunteers who leave their full time paying jobs have almost become full time on the rescue and fire.  Their paying jobs have become second and yes they go beyond the call of duty when they leave their place of employment or leave their homes."

Halvorson says he hopes an event set for next Saturday -- the 25th -- in Stanley helps bring in some added revenue for these responders.  A rib cook off that you could still get involved in...or come sample the food if you aren't cooking it.  The Mountrail County Farm Bureau Pork Rib Contest...

(Ken Halvorson - Mountrail County Sheriff) "When you have a problem and you pick up that phone and dial 911 you want the best equipped people coming to work on your problem and address it.  If this will help in any way, that is what we want to do."

All the proceeds from that event held at the new County Fair building south of Stanley go right to the volunteer responders.  With your Eye on Energy, Perry Olson, KX News.