With the aim of helping first responders, each county is encouraged to use the funds where they need it most. Check presentations were made on Thursday to first responders at the McKenzie County Courthouse and the Williams County EMA Office.

“We are so appreciative of the ongoing generosity from oil and gas companies in our community,” said Karolin Jappe, Emergency Management coordinator for McKenzie County. “Dakota Access Pipeline has been great to work with and is a top notch company in the industry. With donations like these we are able to really look at the specific needs, both big and small, for our first response departments. This time, we are using the funds to help the Grassy Butte Fire Department.”

“The Grassy Butte Fire Department is all volunteer, with approximately 80% of our territory government forest land,” said Lee Geiger, fire chief for Grassy Butte. “This donation basically doubles our budget for the year, which will allow us to purchase extrication equipment.”

“We are excited to use this donation toward county-wide, full-scale LEPC training for all first response and mutual aid departments,” said Denise Brew, Emergency Management coordinator for Dunn County. “We are glad that Dakota Access Pipeline cares about safety in our communities.”

Submitted Photo First responders from Mountrail and Williams County received $20,000 checks checks on Thursday from the Dakota Access Pipeline, LLC.

“Dakota Access Pipeline has maintained good communication with us and it’s donations like these that prove how much these relationships mean to them,” said Mike Smith, Emergency Management coordinator for Williams County. “Last time we used the donation toward a disaster medical response trailer. This time we’ll add to that unit by purchasing a pull unit (flatbed crew cab truck).”

“Mountrail County is grateful for donations like these that enable us to tackle projects that would otherwise not be within the immediate budget,” said Corey Bristol, Emergency Management coordinator for Mountrail County. “We are excited to make much-needed technology upgrades to our EOC.