The Friends of Ferndale Fire Department’s annual summer barbecue fundraiser is a chance for the community to give back to first responders while enjoying a bison burger and some huckleberry ice cream.  

The Friends of Ferndale Fire has only been around for a few years, but since its inception, the group has raised thousands of dollars for the department.  

“This just got started a couple of years ago ... because they needed a way folks like us could support the Fire Department without pulling hoses, going to training and answering fire calls at 2 a.m. So, this has it's worked out really well, and we've had tremendous support,” said Cathi Malison, president of Friends of Ferndale Fire.  

The group has replaced firetruck tires, bought new radios for the station and replaced turnout suits and the station’s clothes dryer, among other big purchases. But they’ll also buy small items for the firefighters, like water and food for the station. 

There are many more improvements to make, according to Malison, including replacing expired equipment and funding new training for the firefighters. She said they’ve been looking at upgrades to the fire station, like an electronic reader board and new carpet. Eventually, they would like to have a fire boat to better serve residents on Swan Lake in case of an emergency.  

Another goal is to get firefighters their EMT certifications, she said. Although insurance costs make it complicated for Ferndale Fire to have their own EMTs, their staff can get certifications to ride along with Bigfork Fire Department EMTs when called. 

“Bigfork has three paid staff on at any time. But if you get an ambulance call, there's usually two people go out. So then if you get a second ambulance call, their other guy can go, but he's supposed to have somebody with them. So if our guys are trained, they could ride with Bigfork, but they have to have the certification,” Malison said.  

Each year they collect between $15,000 and $20,000 from the summer fundraiser, which includes food, activities for kids and a silent auction. This year, Malison said they are adding a “giving ladder” inspired by giving trees that pop-up around Christmastime. Andrea Goss, one of the group's directors and wife of a Ferndale firefighter, came up with the idea. Malison said the red ladder was crafted by local woodworker Gavin Thomson. 

“Some items will be for things as simple as a case of water for $10 and somebody can grab a card, like you would pick a card off of the giving tree at Christmas, and take it up and hand it in, give them the $10 and your name will go with that as an extra donation,” Malison said.  

The silent auction includes baskets from local businesses and artisans, like paintings, wine, flower arrangements, backpacks, car care essentials and a quilt from the Bigfork Piecemakers. 

There are activities for kids, too. Flathead Lake Lodge donates its historic firetruck for the day.  

“Our firemen drive it, and the kids and their families go down past the Ferndale airport ... I guess it's about a  4-mile ride. The kids just love it, and of course they get their fireman's hat,” Malison said.  

There’s a new tradition for kids who attend the fundraiser — Atlee Hitchcock said the group is continuing a T-shirt design contest they started last year. Children will receive a piece of paper with a blank shirt to design something. 

Last year’s winners were Raelynn Lesyinski and Journey Young. Their designs featured “Ferndale Fire Department Supporter” in flames, and “Friends of Ferndale Fire” with a Dalmatian fashioning a fireman’s helmet. These designs were printed on aprons and t-shirts this year to be sold at the fundraiser.  

A plate with a bison burger, potato salad, lemonade, watermelon and huckleberry ice cream costs $15 at the barbecue.  

To learn more about Friends of Ferndale Fire, reach out to Malison at [email protected]. Anyone interested in making a donation can mail a check to “Friends of Ferndale MT Fire” at P.O. Box 30, Bigfork, MT 59911.