SIDNEY – The Potter Volunteer Fire Department is building a second fire hall. With it, they want to add back-up generators for both facilities. 

Bob Hilpert, representing the Potter Volunteer Fire Department, addressed the Cheyenne County Commissioners Tuesday seeking KENO funding to support the purchase of two back-up generators. The proposal is for one generator for each adjacent fire hall. 

"This enhancement will allow the fire halls to function as emergency shelters and operation centers, allowing our bay doors to operate properly, have heat inside and have electricity for whatever might be needed. The halls could provide shelter, heat, power and oxygen supply during outages and serve as shelters with bathrooms during major snowstorms if highways are blocked,” Hilpert said. 

The total project cost is $14,000. 

Hilpert asked Cheyenne County Sheriff Adam Frerichs of a time when an emergency shelter would have been an asset. Sheriff Frerichs’ response was “the ‘snowmagedden just a few years ago.” There was also windstorm that left residents without power for more than a week.  

Commissioner Randy Miller asked if the Department has considering buying one generator to power both fire halls. He said being a farmer when there’s two tractors, there’s the chance of two break-downs. He said one 20 kWh generator should back up both fire halls. The generators are designed with an automatic monthly test, and company representatives make annual visits as well. 

Commissioner Phil Sanders said KENO has changed. 

“People need to be aware of where we are with KENO in Cheyenne County because it has changed so much from what it’s been. We don’t have the revenue we used to, simply because we have the skill games now. We get nothing from that. The income we’re receiving is a whole lot less than what it used to be,” Sanders said. 

  He added the county needs to be aware of the needs of other villages such as Gurley and Dalton. He said he wants to take care of the whole county. 

Hilpert said the Potter Volunteer Fire is constantly working to improve their response ability. 

“Our fire department and rescue squad is continually working to upgrade our equipment to better support the community and the surrounding areas. We rely on local support through our tax dollars, fund raising, and donations. Our fire protection district is a taxing entity, but we do not receive funding from the Village of Potter or Cheyenne County,” Hilpert said 

He said the fire district’s board members, officers, firefighters and EMTs are volunteers.