Sheriff Dan Springer and Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) has released the 2022 Annual Report.  The 2022 Annual Report contains statistics for GCSSAR missions and training.  Multiple missions are highlighted with applicable safety tips.  Many photographs and videos are included to provide a glimpse of our volunteers in action.

Sheriff Springer would like to thank all Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers for their dedication and professionalism as well as our community for your support.

2022 Annual Report (arcgis.com)

Media Release:

Capt. Scott Secor

scott.secor@gallatin.mt.gov

406-551-5172

PRESS RELEASE

STUCK SNOWMOBILERS TEEPEE CREEK

On Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 4:52 p.m. the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call from a snowmobile group requesting assistance. Two snowmobiles had become hopelessly stuck and the riders were attempting to walk out the Big Sky Trail, 12 miles north of West Yellowstone.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone and Custer Gallatin National Forest Service responded to assist with the search.

Volunteers located the snowmobilers who were cold and tired but in otherwise good health. After freeing one of the stuck snowmobiles, volunteers escorted the pair safely back to West Yellowstone.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the snowmobilers for carrying a reliable means of communication and for recognizing their need for assistance early, allowing volunteers to get to them quickly and safely.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Lick Creek Rescue

On January 14, 2023, at 2:57 P.M., Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for a backcountry skier that had fallen at Lick Creek in Hyalite Canyon resulting in a shoulder and leg injury. The skier was with a group of friends when the incident took place. One of the friends skied to a high point to get service and call dispatch while other friends assisted the patient.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) and Hyalite Fire responded to Lick Creek Trail to initiate a rescue. GCSSAR deployed teams of rescuers on skis and snowmobiles. The snowmobile teams made contact with the patient on the forest service road. They conducted an evaluation on the patient before transporting them out on snowmobile. The patient met with Hyalite Fire units waiting at the trailhead for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the skier and friends for recreating as a group, utilizing available resources, and acting as a team to enable efficient and safe rescue for the patient.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Sage Basin Rescue

On Friday, January 13, 2023 at 6:42 pm, West Yellowstone Police Dispatch Center received a 911 call for two lost snowmobilers recreating in the Sage Basin area, south of Big Sky. The snowmobilers recognized they were lost and requested assistance in getting safely out of the backcountry. The lost parties were confirmed to be uninjured, warm, and with operational snowmobiles. They were asked to stay put while volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue were deployed to assist them.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the West Yellowstone and Big Sky sections deployed into the backcountry from two different trailheads. The lost snowmobilers were located at 9:30 pm and safely led out of the backcountry to Sage Creek Trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to recognize the snowmobilers for asking for assistance when they determined they were lost and would like to thank the Search and Rescue volunteers for their dedication to this successful mission. The lost snowmobilers in this incident were prepared for an emergency in winter conditions and followed direction until help could arrive.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

JUNCTION 17 Rescue        

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 2:08 p.m. the West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a snowmobiler requesting assistance. The snowmobiler reported that one of their party had sustained a shoulder injury after their snowmobile left the trail and struck a tree. The accident was in the area of Junction 17, outside of West Yellowstone.

Volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue West Yellowstone Section, Yellowstone National Park and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department responded to assist with the rescue.

Volunteers located the patient and determined that their injuries were considerably more severe that initially suspected. They loaded the patient into a specialized snow ambulance and transported to a waiting HBFD ambulance crew in West Yellowstone.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to recognize, and thank, the numerous snowmobilers that stopped to assist volunteers in preparing the patient for transport.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: Jan. 6, 2023

Media contact:
Tara Murker, Gallatin County 911 Assistant Director of Operations
406-582-3663
tara.murker@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Gallatin County 911 Hosting Recruiting Workshops

As part of its ongoing recruiting efforts, Gallatin County 911 is hosting a series of upcoming workshops to provide more information for anyone interested in a career as a 911 dispatcher.

Come visit with our 911 staff about the hiring process, our on-the-job training program, special assignments, and professional growth opportunities. Dispatchers will answer your questions about working in this challenging and rewarding career. Come see if this professional path might just be for you.

The workshops are scheduled for Jan. 12, Jan. 25 and Jan. 26. Each will run 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Bozeman Fire Station #3, located at 1705 Vaquero Parkway, next door to our 911 center. Seating is limited so register soon!

To register, or to get more information, please email Tara.Murker@gallatin.mt.gov.

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For immediate release: Jan. 5, 2023

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the Blue Blood Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in Bozeman.

The blood drive, which will benefit the American Red Cross, will be held from 10 AM to 3 PM in the Community Room at the Gallatin County Detention Center, located at 605 S. 16th Ave.

You can make your appointment online by clicking here. If you need more information, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), download the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

This event is supported by Montana Concerns of Police Survivors.

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PRESS RELEASE

M Trail Rescue

On January 3, 2023, at 3:15pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a paraglider who was injured on the M Trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section along with American Medical Response, Bridger Canyon Fire, and U.S. Forest Service responded to the M Trail. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescuedeployed a hasty team and two secondary teams up the trail. A team of two Bridger Canyon Fire EMT’s established initial contact with the patient.

Search and Rescue teams loaded the patient onto a one wheel litter and brought them directly down slope to the trailhead. AMR transported the patient to the next higher level of care for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationaliststhat winter weather can result in an emergency situationquickly. It is important to be prepared for the weather and have a safety plan for an unexpected turn of events.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Belgrade Police Department

91. E. Central Ave, Belgrade, MT 59717

Phone | 406.388.4262

Dustin E. Lensing, Chief of Police | David Keen, Deputy Chief

________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release:

BELGRADE, MT- On December 31, 2022, at approximately 7:43pm, personnel from the Belgrade Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Central Valley Fire District responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Jackrabbit Lane, just south of Amsterdam Road.  The pedestrian, a female, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The identity of the victim has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.  No other details are available at this time. This matter is under investigation by members of our Criminal Investigations Division.  Any persons who may have been a witness to the incident are encouraged to contact the Belgrade Police Department, CID Division, at 406.388.4262.

 

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PRESS RELEASE

BUCK RIDGE TRAIL RESCUE

On December 26, 2022, at 1:33 pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call that a snowmobiler had sustained a leg injury on Buck Ridge Trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) Big Sky Section and Big Sky Fire responded to assist with the call. A GCSSAR team snowmobiled to the patient’s location with the ambulance sled in tow. The patient was assessed and transported to the waiting Big Sky Fire Ambulance who took the patient to the next higher level of care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalist that even a trail ride can result in a medical emergency. Please ride within your capabilities and enjoy the amazing back country in which we get to recreate.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.