Cascade County welcomes new Disaster & Emergency Services Director

Cascade County recently announced the appointment of Joey Zahara to replace Brad Call as the new head of the Disaster and Emergency Services department. Cascade County commissioners voted unanimously to make an offer for the manager position during their April 25 meeting. With a robust background in crisis management and a commitment to community well-being, Zahara hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the county’s emergency response initiatives. He explained, “I come from the system, I’m a product of the system and I’m very proud of it. Really working with the volunteers and rural firefighters and making sure our team can be there to support them makes me excited to take on this role.”
KXLH-TV CBS 9 Helena

FEC’s Roundup for Safety helps fund 13 community safety projects including Columbia Falls Fire Department

Flathead Electric Co-op's Roundup for Safety Board on April 11 awarded $52,174 in grant funds supporting 13 community safety projects. The Columbia Falls Fire Department requested $10,000 toward the purchase of a respirator fit tester. This device tests firefighters’ masks to ensure a proper and safe fit. “We wear these masks when we enter structure fires,” said Fire Chief Karl Weeks, “And the fit tester makes sure that dangerous gases don’t enter our masks as we work. Those gasses are a short-term and long-term hazard for firefighters, as they respond to emergencies, and further down the road.” Each firefighter has his or her mask and the fit test is performed at least once annually. The fire department plans to offer the use of the device to other area firefighters.
Daily Inter Lake

Smokey Bear sign stolen from Tally Lake Ranger District in Kalispell

Striking the Tally Lake Ranger District office on Sunday, thieves made off with an American icon. At about 3:30 a.m. April 28, a pickup truck drove up onto the sidewalk outside the Wolfpack Way district office in Kalispell and its occupants stole the two-dimensional visage of Smokey Bear affixed to a fire prevention sign. The facsimile of the beloved bear was relatively new, officials said. “He’s our icon and it’s coming up on his birthday this year …You know, he’s near and dear to our hearts,” said Kira Powell, spokesperson for the Flathead National Forest. Smokey, who was born as the symbol of a public fire prevention campaign on Aug. 9, 1944, is turning 80 this year. The Tally Lake Ranger District's bear has been seen on better days holding a shovel.
Daily Inter Lake

Semi-truck cab falls 100 feet down cliff in Jefferson County, one person injured

PHOTOS: The Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department was called to Jefferson County for a semi accident that was reported to be 100’ feet down a cliff face. Rescue 1 and 2 (B Shift) with BSBFD’s Technical Rescue Team responded. Already on scene Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department, Jefferson Valley EMS, and Montana Highway Patrol had made patient contact and began treatment. The semi cab separated from the frame and rolled down the cliff while the rest of the truck stayed on the road after the truck hit the guardrail. The TRT team utilized a rope system and a MPD device to lower rescuers and equipment down to the scene. Members had to navigate large boulders, steep terrain, and the time of day as well as a creek at the bottom of the cliff. Members packaged the patient into a stokes basket and hoisted the patient back to the highway.
KULR-TV NBC 8 Billings