Preparing for the Unexpected: Why Backup Power is Vital for Disability Services

When the power goes out, being prepared matters. Support Flathead Industries in the Great Fish Community Challenge and help us keep essential services running when our community needs them most.
For some, a power outage may just mean a temporary disruption to everyday conveniences. But for many of the people we support, a loss of power can quickly become a matter of safety — and, in some cases, a medical emergency.
When power is interrupted, the vital systems that support the health, safety, and everyday routines of the people we support are compromised:
  • Essential equipment that depends on reliable power may no longer function.
  • People may face increased risks of overheating or dehydration.
  • Medications that require refrigeration may no longer be stored properly.
Even small disruptions can become significant for people whose health and well-being depend on consistent care — and that’s why emergency preparedness matters. It’s about having the right resources in place before they’re needed so we can protect the people we support, preserve the routines they depend on, and continue providing care when circumstances are beyond our control.

Preparedness in Action: Navigating the Libby Floods

What put this into perspective for us was watching one of our sister organizations navigate the Libby floods in December 2025. When our CEO, Patrick Maddison, received a call from the executive director of Achievements, Inc., the situation was serious: “The dam might not withhold the water. We are under evacuation orders.” But instead of panic, her response was calm and collected:
“The generator’s set up at our day program… We’ll have power, water, heat and everything we need…You good with that?”
Yeah, he was more than good with that.
Instead of scrambling to figure out what to do next, they had a plan — and the equipment and infrastructure to put that plan into action. They had accessible transportation ready, enough gas in vehicles, and communication systems to help coordinate their response. These weren’t things they had to figure out in the moment. They were already in place, woven into the way their programs operated, so when an emergency happened, they were ready to act.
That kind of preparation also came from experience, which Maddison recounts: “Years earlier, we had lost power at one of our group homes, causing the fire suppression system to freeze and resulting in significant damage. Meanwhile, water at one of our thrift stores froze and broke, causing another major flood. After those incidents, our insurance company helped us recognize the need to be better prepared for severe weather events, and because of that, we purchased two generators.”

Emergency Readiness in the Flathead

Across the Flathead Valley, we operate 24 facilities and serve more than 250 people with disabilities. When deciding where to invest in backup power, we looked closely at impact, capacity, ease of access, and how each location could support us in an emergency. The Grover Complex quickly stood out.
The Grover Complex houses many of our essential services and teams, including:
  • Administrative office
  • IT department
  • Records retention
  • Continuing Education Center
  • Supported Living hub
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
Centrally located on 4th Avenue West, the Grover Complex can serve as a gathering place if we ever need to relocate people from multiple group homes or other facilities during an emergency.
Having one prepared location and a clear plan in place means that, when an emergency happens, we can move directly into action rather than figuring out what to do in the moment — allowing us to respond more effectively and focus on the well-being of the people we support.

Looking Ahead

Our long-term goal is to strengthen emergency readiness and response across all Flathead Industries facilities, which includes adding backup generators at each of our group homes. With generator installations ranging from approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per home — and potentially more for larger facilities — this is a significant investment and one we must approach strategically.
Prioritizing larger spaces like the Grover Complex and Life Skills Center, as well as homes supporting people with greater medical needs, allows us to build critical capacity where it can have the greatest impact during an emergency. This generator at the Grover Complex is an important first step toward building a stronger, more comprehensive emergency preparedness system across Flathead Industries.
And with your support, we can continue investing in the resources and infrastructure needed to keep people safe, supported, and cared for when the unexpected happens.

Support Flathead Industries: Great Fish Community Challenge

The Great Fish Community Challenge brings our community together to support 89 local nonprofits making a difference across the Flathead Valley. Hosted by Whitefish Community Foundation, the Challenge helps donors maximize their impact by providing a percentage match on donations made during the campaign.
When emergencies happen, being prepared can make all the difference. Give through the Great Fish Community Challenge by September 11 and help ensure the people we serve have the resources and support they need — no matter what comes next.