Downing Secures $2 Million in Funding for Red Lodge Fire Station Upgrades

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026as part of Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026.

Included in this bill is Congressman Troy Downing's (MT-02) Community Project Funding requestfor Red Lodge Fire District 7 which delivers $1,995,000 in project funding for station upgrades.

"Our first responders have our backs on our worst days. It's only right that when they need our help, we have theirs," said Congressman Downing. "Rural fire departments are the backbone of emergency response in Montana, and I couldn't be more proud to see $2 million in funding for Red Lodge Fire Rescue included in this legislation to expand and enhance their operations in Carbon County. Special thanks to Chief Tom Kuntz and the brave men and women of RLFR for your continued service to our community-nobody is more deserving."

"We are sincerely grateful to Congressman Downing for his leadership and his commitment to supporting first responders," said Red Lodge Fire Rescue Chief Tom Kuntz. "Over the past few years, our small community has been hit by extreme wildfires, devastating floods, and complex search-and-rescue missions, and every time our volunteers have shown up to help their neighbors when they needed it most. Modernizing and expanding our station will give those volunteers the space, training environment, and facilities they need to stay ready to protect the Red Lodge community for decades to come."

Background:

• Red Lodge Fire Rescue (RLFR) serves a large rural area of 600 square miles with a population of approximately 3,500 people for Fire and EMS response, and an area of 2,000 square miles for Search and Rescue with a population of approximately 10,000 people.

• The project funding Congressman Downing secured totals $1,995,000 and will help expand and update RLFR's fire station, an essential investment to meet the region's growing emergency response needs.

• The funds will be used to expand apparatus bays, training space, and facilities for responders to rest or stay on-site during extended emergencies. These improvements will increase volunteer participation, improve safety, and enhance readiness in the face of increasing emergencies.

• Read a list of Congressman Downing's funding requests in alphabetical order here.

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