Good morning and happy Labor Day. It’s JoVonne here with your dose of Helena This Week.In this week’s issue, the city hands out its second Spirit of Helena award, a water main break causes the road to weep, and the Helena Area Community Foundation wants to grant nearly $70,000 to area organ izations. And in our top story, Helena’s fire chief and assistant fire chief explain how the HFD handles its calls for services. Here is a hint: It’s not all about fires. But first, a weather preview ☀️  Monday will have a 90% chance of rain with a high of 68 degrees and lows in the upper 40s, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Olivia Dzomba. Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with a high of 70 and a low in the mid-40s. Wednesday will also be sunny, with highs in the mid-70s and an overnight low near 50.  Glad You Asked 🙋 We received a question from an HTW reader regarding the potential public safety levy, and for those just tuning in, here is a bit of background on what we’re talking about:  The Helena City Commission is weighing whether to ask voters to approve about $5.3 million in spending for additional police officers and firefighters.  Current staffing levels, local officials have said, are insufficient to keep up with Helena’s growth and service needs.  The question at hand: What percent of the calls that come into the fire department are for fires versus other calls, such as providing medical assistance at assisted living facilities? And how do firefighters navigate the prioritization of these community needs? According to 2025 data presented this summer to the Helena City Commission by fire officials, only about 1% of the 5,034 incidents the department responded to were fire-related.  The majority of the Helena Fire Department calls from 2025 were for rescue and EMS needs. Credit: Courtesy of the city of Helena About 67% of last year’s calls were categorized under rescue and emergency medical assistance.  “That sounds normal, even across the country,” Helena Fire Chief Corey Parker told me last week. “ So that data isn’t surprising.” Parker said that any fire department has a wide range of responsibilities, from risk management and education to operations that include rescue, addressing hazardous materials and responding to homes and businesses when a carbon monoxide detector goes off. “ There’s all of these things we do outside of just running fire calls that really make the fire department in our responses,” Parker said.   But, how often are firefighters coming to the rescue, literally, when calls come from assisted living facilities? Well, there is a bit more to understand in trying to answer that question, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jason Wendzel.  While the HFD will respond to almost anywhere they’re needed, assisted living facilities could include independent living, a 55-or-older community, or even a retirement home, making it difficult for the department to determine exactly where that care is needed and how to track those numbers, Wendzel said.  Additionally, the department relies heavily on the dispatcher to help it determine the level of urgency. If a dispatcher concludes that a call isn’t urgent and that an individual is not severely injured, HFD won’t typically respond, but the ambulance will, Wendzel explained.  Whether it’s responding to calls for a fall, a rescue, a fire or a carbon monoxide alarm, Parker said it’s just part of the job. “ There is no judgment when we get there, and it’s something that it isn’t a fire, we don’t judge that,” Parker said. “ We recognize the fact that this is about you and your interpretation and your need. That’s the job, to provide that need to the community. So it’s never about [if] the call is a waste of time or our resources or anything like that.”  Eye on Helena 👀 City workers and police work to turn off a water main on East Broadway Avenue Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Credit: JoVonne Wagner I was out around town last week when one of my editors sent me a message about some commotion by The Base Camp.  Turns out a water main under the East Broadway gave out, causing water to push up and slightly lift and crack the street. The best way I could describe it is that the road looked like it was seeping a steady stream of water.  I spoke to Trent Scheuer, the city utilities maintenance superintendent, who was at the scene, and he told me that the water break occurred sometime in early Thursday afternoon. The city of Helena issued a statement soon after, noting that the section of the road was closed to through traffic and that crews were working to restore water service as quickly as possible. The issue was fixed later that night, and traffic resumed shortly after.  Public Notice 🧐 City launches new way to survey community ℹ️ The city of Helena has launched a new tool to promote public engagement, FlashVote. Participants who register with the city will be sent surveys on various issues that will close after 48 hours. Responses are anonymous, and a summary of the overall results will then be shared. 📍 City-wide🔗 Sign up for the survey here or call (755) 235-2240. City closures for Labor Dayℹ️ City’s administrative offices will close Monday for Labor Day. Trash collection will be affected, so residents who usually have their garbage picked up on Mondays will need to have their containers out for pickup Tuesday morning instead.   🗓️ Monday, Sept. 7⏰ All day📍 City-County Building, Capital Transit, transfer station and municipal court. County warns of West Nile  ℹ️ The Lewis and Clark Health Department announced last Wednesday on its Facebook page that the state had identified a potential pool of West Nile Virus in the county. While no confirmed human or animal cases have been reported, the social media post issued a caution. The post stated residents utilize the “Four D’s” to avoid mosquito bites: dress in long sleeves and pants, drain standing water, use DEET repellent and avoid being outside during dusk and dawn.    📍Lewis and Clark County🔗 Read more about the virus here. HACF grants ℹ️ The Helena Area Community Foundation opened its 2026 grant cycle last week, with nearly $70,000 available for community nonprofit projects. Applications for grants will be accepted through Oct. 2, according to a HACF press release. The funding is intended to support projects that serve county residents and can range from $500 to $4,000.     🗓️ Sept. 2 through Oct. 2🔗 Learn more about how to apply and grant eligibility here.  Helena Happenings 🗓️ On sale: The Helena Business Improvement District is selling the old “Downtown Helena” signs to make room for new ones. So if you’re into collecting these way-finding items or like to preserve a part of the city’s history, swing by 330 N. Jackson St. before Sept. 27, first-come, first-served. Outdoor Events: Downtown’s annual clean-up day is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21. It’s a perfect opportunity to help beautify the city. Those interested can RSVP here. About Town 🚶 Last Monday, The Friendship Center, a local organization that provides shelter and resources to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, announced it is partnering with Family Promise, another nonprofit that focuses on providing shelter to families and children.     In May, the center’s shelter sustained significant water damage and flooding caused by its fire suppression system, forcing staff to relocate clients as they worked to recover the property. Family Promise stepped in, offering the center its new shelter space until it officially opens at the beginning of next year.  “Partnering with The Friendship Center allows us to collectively stretch our resources further and meet the comprehensive needs of families in crisis,” Family Promise said in a press release. “When community organizations can unite, we build a stronger, more resilient safety net that ensures no family in crisis in the Helena area has to face it alone.”  Family Promise will begin taking in The Friendship Center’s clients this month.  In Other News 📰 Spirit of Helena recipient John Murdy, middle, poses with the Helena City Commission and Business Improvement District staff Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Credit: JoVonne Wagner/ MTFP The city of Helena and the local chamber of commerce named its second recipient of the monthly Spirit of Helena Award during a meeting last week.  Resident John Murdy accepted the honor after being nominated by the Helena Business Improvement District, along with several other downtown business owners, for always lending a helping hand downtown. “Whether he’s working at Ten Mile Creek Brewery or at The Hawthorne, keeping our downtown clean, cleaning up after events at the Myrna Loy, or tackling the countless tasks that never appear on anyone’s job description, John shows up, and he gets things done,” Helena Area Chamber of Commerce president Callie Aschim said during the meeting.  Following Up ↩️ A Helena teacher who was charged in March with seven felony counts for allegedly assaulting a student had his trial date postponed until next year. James Michael Huber, who worked at C.R. Anderson Middle School as a para-educator, appeared last Thursday at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse for a hearing before Judge Kathy Seeley. Seeley rescheduled the trial at the request of Huber’s attorney. Huber has remained in the county jail pending his trial, which is now set for March 29, 2027.  The post When it comes to the Helena Fire Department, it’s not all about fires appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less